What do you do if your boss and you have conflicting opinions on a project?

When you find yourself at odds with your boss over a project, it can feel like navigating a minefield. It's important to approach the situation with a blend of respect, assertiveness, and strategic communication. The key is not to shy away from the conflict but to manage it effectively, ensuring that you both can work towards a resolution that benefits the project and maintains a positive working relationship.

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1 Understand MI

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a counseling approach that involves enhancing a person's motivation to change by resolving ambivalence. While typically used in health care and addiction counseling, MI principles can be applied in the workplace to address conflicts. When you encounter differing opinions with your boss, it's essential to listen actively and express empathy. Understanding their perspective can pave the way for a more collaborative dialogue where both parties feel heard and valued.

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2 Active Listening

Active listening is a cornerstone of effective communication, particularly when you have conflicting opinions with your boss. It requires giving full attention, acknowledging received messages, and responding thoughtfully. By actively listening, you demonstrate respect for your boss's viewpoint and open the door to mutual understanding. This approach can help de-escalate tension and foster an environment where solutions can be discussed openly.

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Tsion Cox, MBA

Strategic HR Leader | Global Total Rewards l Keynote Speaker | Professional Coach
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When faced with conflicting opinions on a project with your boss, it's essential to approach the situation with professionalism, open-mindedness, and effective communication. Take the time to listen carefully to your boss's perspective and try to understand their reasoning and concerns. Please pay attention to their priorities, goals, and expectations for the project.

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3 Express Empathy

Empathy is about seeing the world from another's perspective and recognizing their feelings without judgment. When you express empathy towards your boss's stance, it shows you value their insight and are not merely focused on your agenda. This can help ease adversarial tension and create a more cooperative atmosphere. By validating their concerns, you set the stage for a more productive conversation about the project.

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Tsion Cox, MBA

Strategic HR Leader | Global Total Rewards l Keynote Speaker | Professional Coach
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Share your perspective on the project respectfully and clearly. Explain the rationale behind your ideas or decisions and how you believe they align with the project goals and objectives.

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4 Share Perspective

After understanding and empathizing with your boss's point of view, it's important to share your own perspective calmly and clearly. Articulate why you see things differently, using evidence and rationale to support your stance. Avoid confrontation; instead, aim for a constructive exchange of ideas. This can help your boss appreciate your viewpoint and consider alternative approaches that they may not have initially recognized.

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Dr.Siladitya Ray

Founder of RAYZ WELLNESS CLINIC Consultant Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist. Keynote Speaker, Life Mentor
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In any given situation where a pragmatic decision has to be arrived at, it is sensible to get each other's view point l, give consideration to the suggestions and then reach either a point of consensus or convergence. If your decision is lop - sided, then then chances are that it will generate friction or create a bottle - neck in the entire decision making process. A decision is better taken conjointly with due consideration of each other's point of view.

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5 Collaborate on Solutions

Collaboration is about working together to find a mutually beneficial solution. Once both sides are understood, it's time to brainstorm potential resolutions to the conflict. Propose ideas that take into account both your perspective and your boss's concerns. Collaboration signals a willingness to find common ground and can lead to innovative solutions that satisfy both parties.

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Heather B.

Milieu Counselor | CADC-I @ Momentum Recovery
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Approach the conversation with a positive and open mindset. Express your concerns in a non-confrontational way and listen actively to your boss's perspective. Ask open-ended questions and show empathy. Use affirmations to acknowledge your boss's strengths. Brainstorm potential solutions together and agree on action steps. Follow up on these actions and continue to communicate openly with your boss.

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Tsion Cox, MBA

Strategic HR Leader | Global Total Rewards l Keynote Speaker | Professional Coach
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Look for areas of agreement or common ground where you and your boss can find consensus. Focus on shared goals and interests to build rapport and foster collaboration.

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6 Follow Up

After discussing conflicting opinions with your boss and exploring potential solutions, it's critical to follow up. This ensures that both of you are on the same page moving forward and that any agreed-upon actions are implemented. Following up demonstrates your commitment to resolving the issue and maintaining a positive working relationship. It also provides an opportunity to revisit the discussion if circumstances change or if the proposed solution requires adjustment.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Faezeh Elahi

Social worker
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Predicting &manag conflict by find roots &causes and to handling conflict in any situation using TKI method,it’s questionnaire that asks how naturally react,helps describe own reaction,looks at two different aspects of approach;assertiveness(protect &win own position)Cooperativeness(help the other achieve what he wants)and five different ways to handle (competing , accommodating,avoiding,collaborating and compromising).Competing is assertive way,avoiding conflict and collaborate is very good way but logically Compromising is moderately assertive and moderately cooperative and provide discussion,negotiation and exchange concessions is vital,understanding own preference and identifying the best approach to use for the particular situation,

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What do you do if your boss and you have conflicting opinions on a project?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand MI

2 Active Listening

3 Express Empathy

4 Share Perspective

5 Collaborate on Solutions

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Motivational Interviewing

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What do you do if your boss and you have conflicting opinions on a project?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand MI

2 Active Listening

3 Express Empathy

4 Share Perspective

5 Collaborate on Solutions

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Motivational Interviewing

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