What a wondrous world it would be if every one of us agreed on everything? But that’s just not the reality. We all have different opinions, thoughts, and values, which means disagreements will happen at some point. Unfortunately, sometimes we don’t watch our tones, and the rage inside us takes over, sabotaging the calm and rational adult. There’s a vast difference between disagreeing and disagreeing with respect. The former is more likely to hurt others’ feelings and add fuel to the tensed fire. The latter approach can lead to new ideas and a much more practical decision. However, it’s easier said than done. So, to save you from further embarrassment, here are 5 tips on what to do when you disagree with someone.
Contents
Decide If You Want To Have The Conversation
Before jumping into any conversation, think about whether you want to talk about it. For instance, if your partner is taking a job offer that would require the family to move, or your boss gives the project you’ve been working on to someone else. These are crucial matters to discuss and show disagreement. However, some situations are critical where people don’t want to talk about something, like if your friend is breaking her marriage and you disagree with the decision. In such cases, it’s not necessary to ask her why she feels the way she does. So, before making a conversation, think about how the conversation will be received. It’s okay not to dig into matters where people may feel you’re pressing their buttons.
Focus On The Facts
You can win an argument if you put facts over opinions. That’s how people work, and they believe in facts and not the opinion of other people. However, prioritizing facts could be the last thing you remember while in an argument. But to respectfully win the disagreement, you must prioritize logic over emotions. So, make sure you lay enough emphasis on the facts and information which supports your dispute.
Don’t Ever Get Personal
It’s important to stay focused on the current topic of discussion as sometimes people also bring up old matters just to prove their point, which you should never do. Remember, your goal is to present your opinions so that they are respected and accepted by the other person and not just disrespect the other person’s beliefs.
Listen To Understand
More often, people focus on winning the argument and proving their point rather than resolving the situation. This is where things can go wrong. You mustn’t listen to respond; instead, you listen to understand. Allow another person to share their point of view without interrupting. Also, before assuming anything, ask questions to ensure what you’re processing is similar to what they mean. Finally, if things get heated at the moment, take a minute or two so you both get the time to cool off before continuing the discussion.
Know When To Move On
You must have heard somewhere “agree to disagree,” and it’s for a reason. One of the essential tips on disagreement is to know when you’ve had enough, and it’s time you call it quits and move on. Yes, indeed, it’s not easy to swallow your pride and walk away without saying anything, but sometimes, it’s the best you can do. You should do this, especially when you’re arguing in a professional setting. Because going over the same argument, again and again, may give a wrong impression about you.
Conclusion
We all find ourselves in a situation where we feel strongly about our side and so less about the others. However, disagreement does not always have to be ugly, and you can present your arguments correctly. So, next time when you wonder what to do when you disagree with someone, implement the steps above to resolve the dispute peacefully.
