Career Management: 8 Tips For Disagreeing With The Boss

Career Management: 8 Tips For Disagreeing With The Boss

Disagreeing with other people, without taking a body count or courting disaster, is something most people try to avoid. Nevertheless, we recognize we can’t always agree with everything that comes our way—even if it comes from the boss.

Many of us think disagreeing with the boss is one of those career-limiting moves to be avoided at all costs. Think again. Most managers want to think they’ve hired brilliant people who can think and act well on the company’s behalf. That includes not letting them (or anyone else) drive off a metaphorical cliff. This means you are being paid to use your brain AND mouth.

The diversity that takes place in the workplace isn’t just about race or religion; it’s about ideas, perspectives, and insight. If you are truly engaging in what is taking place at work, it’s not possible to agree with your boss 100% of the time.

You can disagree with your boss and make that disagreement a win-win for both of you. You can win because you can use it for career enhancement. The boss can win because they will come off as an engaging manager and get a much better end result.

Here are eight tips to turn disagreement into a great thing for your career.

1. Disagree, But Don’t Be Disagreeable

When something strikes you as wrong or out of line, keep your emotions in check. No one, especially the boss, will appreciate an emotionally charged rebuttal. People tend to mirror each other’s energy level, and if you turn red and flap your arms, it will be met with equal intensity.

2. Don’t Make It Personal

Man disagrees with his boss

The conversation will go much better if you are addressing the issue or topic and not making your disagreement about the person, your boss.

3. Be Clear About What You Don’t Agree With

Woman discusses a disagreement with her boss

If you can’t articulate what is troubling you about something, wait until you can be clear. If you can’t be clear, you will not have a conversation that will make any sense to the other person. A confusing conversation will not leave a great impression.

4. Offer Alternatives

Man discusses a disagreement with his boss

Nothing falls flatter than squashing an idea only to have nothing to replace it with. If you can’t think up a better idea, then what good is the disagreement? Sure, you might not like the idea, but if you can’t come up with something else, then go with what you have. You have to solve problems to be an asset.

5. Make Things Private

Woman talks through a disagreement with her boss

Depending on the setting and issue, you may need to take your disagreement to a private setting with your boss. This allows you to cover whatever you need to, have a discussion, and keep both of you looking good to the rest of the office.

You never want to embarrass your boss; if you do, they will remember it for much too long. They will appreciate your sensitivity and professionalism when you have the insight to know when it’s time to have a private discussion.

6. Seek To Understand

Woman disagrees with her boss during a meeting

Many conflicts and disagreements are rooted in a failure to communicate and understand the other person. When something does arise that doesn’t hit you right, ask questions and gain clarity. You may discover that you do agree after all. Doing this will also help you avoid discomfort.

7. Don’t Be A “Yes” Person

Man disagrees with his boss during a meeting

This is more than simply sucking up to the boss. This is agreeing with the boss at the cost of your character, values, and career. You might think it will enhance your career, but it will backfire against you as the higher-ups see that your contributions are limited.

8. Disagree And Commit

Man talks through a disagreement with his boss

The biggest issue that managers have when employees disagree is their becoming insubordinate and undermining efforts. If you have followed all of these steps and you still have a disagreement, then it’s time for you to disagree and commit yourself to whatever is being proposed. After all, the idea or direction might really work out well. Your manager will think you are truly a professional if you can work through your disagreement, offer solutions, and be able to “get on board.”

Certainly, out there in the universe are managers with fragile egos who can’t tolerate anyone disagreeing with their mandates or directions. They too will only get just so far in their career. Anytime you limit the free flow of thought and contribution, you limit the possibilities.

You need to screen for these people in your job search. If you wound up with a boss like that, you should consider a different team or job. But most managers enjoy discussion and debate as a means of developing great ideas and direction. They understand that disagreement is part of the process.

Need more help navigating workplace relationships?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

4 References You Might Give a Potential Employer

4 References You Might Give a Potential Employer

You need people to have your back if you want a successful career. At some point, you need a hiring manager or similar individual to look at your resume and give you that first critical job that gets you started on a successful path. You might also look to references that will frame your personality […]

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Preparing For An Interview: Step-By-Step Guide

Preparing For An Interview: Step-By-Step Guide

So, you received a call back for an in-person interview. Now what? The week leading up to the in-person interview probably deserves more effort and preparation than any other portion of the job search process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on preparing for an interview.

The Day You Are Offered The Interview

These are some things you should do immediately after getting an interview:

Respond promptly – Waiting to respond may send a message that you’re not interested (bad!) or have poor follow-up (also bad!). Respond promptly, thank the employer for the opportunity, and express your excitement without being over the top.

Ask about logistics – Aside from nailing down the location, it’s generally acceptable to ask about the company’s dress code and the names of those you’ll be interviewing with. Avoid asking questions that you (or Google) can answer yourself (e.g. directions).

Clear your schedule – If you’re currently employed or have other commitments, make sure the appropriate people know you will not be available on the day of your interview.

The Week Before The Interview

Man at computer prepares for a job interview

Your interview is a week away! Get prepared by doing the following:

Research the company – Even if you did this before applying for the job (which you should have!), it’s time to revisit the company website, its blog and social media accounts, and recent news articles.

Research the hiring managers – If you know who the interviewers are, do a little research. Look for them on the company’s team page and on online networks like LinkedIn. Try to get a feel for who the interviewers are and for the type of person the company employs.

Decide what to wear to the interview – Don’t wait until the night before. Try on your interview outfit, ask others for their opinion, and make sure you don’t need a trip to the dry cleaner or cobbler.

The Day Before The Interview

Woman looks at laptop while preparing for a job interview

In order to be completely prepared for your interview, make sure to do these things the day before:

Review the job posting – It will be far easier to tailor your interview answers if the job description is fresh in your mind.

Practice answering common interview questions – There are certain questions you can expect to be asked during a job interview. Look up the generic ones as well as ones specific to your industry, then rehearse them with a friend, family member, or patient pet.

Prepare questions for the employer – At the end of an interview, you will be given the opportunity to ask questions. It’s an important part of the interview and the questions you ask could make or break your chances of landing the job offer, so put some serious thought into them.

Map the directions – One of the last things you want to do is be late for your interview. Find how long it should take you to get there, then give yourself plenty of extra time in case you get lost, stuck in traffic, or detoured.

Gather your day-of materials – Even if the hiring manager doesn’t ask, it’s common practice to bring enough copies of your resume for yourself and for each of the interviewers. You should also bring a pen and paper to take notes, as well as anything else specifically requested by the employer. Other things to consider include mints, grooming materials, money for parking, and a backup interview outfit (just in case you spill your Starbucks all over your lap).

Do the obvious things – Go to bed at a reasonable hour and set at least one alarm.

Think positively – Visualizing a positive outcome has a surprising impact on real-life performance. Think about past successes and envision, in detail, a stellar interview in your mind.

What steps do you take when preparing for an interview?

If you need more help preparing for your next job interview, we’re here for you!

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you prepare for your next job interview.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

5 Items Every Home Office Needs

5 Items Every Home Office Needs

Many people have been working from home for the past two years. However, not everyone took the time to properly set up their home office. This is because many people thought that remote work was a temporary situation for them. Now, however, more and more people are realizing that working from home might be their […]

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Top 8 Highest Paying Business Jobs to Consider

Top 8 Highest Paying Business Jobs to Consider

A business degree opens doors to many career opportunities with a handsome salary package and unlimited growth potential. However, if you are considering a business degree, you might not know what kind of door you would like to open and feel clueless about your career path. Plus, working towards a profession without knowing where it […]

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How To Negotiate Salary With A Recruiter

How To Negotiate Salary With A Recruiter

One of my jobs as a career coach is to help you see things from the recruiter’s perspective. I actually was in the staffing recruiting industry before I became a career coach, so I know what they’re thinking. And in this case, I don’t want you to think of recruiters as the enemy. You want to enter into any conversation with a recruiter very informed, very calm, and very confident. Because if you do that, you’re going to build a great relationship and get the results you’re looking for.

What You Need To Know About Negotiating Salary With A Recruiter

@j.t.odonnell Reply to @jannaandschnorkie @j.t.odonnell How I salary negotiate with recruiters. #edutok #salary #salarynegotiation #learnontiktok #careertiktok #careeradvice #recruitment #recruiting #recruiter #jobtips #jobsearch #careermode ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

Let’s break this down. A recruiter cannot waste their time on you if they can’t afford you. So when they’re asking you about your salary expectations, they’re just trying to figure out whether or not they can even present opportunities to you.

If a recruiter asks you about salary expectations, respond with a range.

Your salary range consists of two things:

  1. Walkaway rate (the lowest amount of money you can accept without looking for another job)
  2. Ideal salary

Now, your ideal salary is based on market research. It needs to be within alignment with the market. You need to make sure that you’re not overreaching on that range and, at the same time, you don’t want to sell yourself short. So you do your homework and figure out, based on your skill set and your location, what your ideal salary is.

Your salary range could be big, maybe tens of thousands of dollars difference between the lowest number (the walkaway rate), and the highest number (your ideal salary). But it’s a range. And you should present that to the recruiter and say…

“My range is (blank). This is the least amount of money I can take, and this is what I’m hoping to make. And that’s really dependent upon the benefits, the opportunity itself, and what’s involved. Do you have any opportunities that fit that range?”

That’s how you start this conversation.

Recruiters hate it when people avoid the salary conversation. If you went into a store as a customer and asked, “How much does this cost?” and the salesperson said, “Well, let’s get to know each other more before I tell you,” that would feel super shady, wouldn’t it? Well, that’s what you’re doing in this situation if you’re not upfront because the recruiters are the buyers, the customers, and you’re the business-of-one, the service provider selling your services.

So, when negotiating salary with a recruiter, you should be very confident, calm, and relaxed, and be able to explain your range. When you do that, you look so professional. And now the recruiter is excited because this is their first interaction with you. They’re thinking, “This person—they know their range, they know their worth, they know what they want. I can work with this person.”

Ultimately, it’s all about doing some research and knowing your value as an employee, and then communicating that effectively with a salary range. That’s all you have to do to successfully negotiate salary with a recruiter.

If you need more help negotiating salary with a recruiter or hiring manager, I can help.

I’d love it if you joined my FREE community where professionals like you are learning how to become empowered in their careers so they can finally find career happiness and satisfaction. More importantly, I have tons of resources inside this community that can help you prepare for your next job search.

Sign up for my FREE community and become a Workplace Renegade today! My team and I are looking forward to working with you soon.

How Can I Hire The Best Headhunters In Edmonton?

How Can I Hire The Best Headhunters In Edmonton?

Headhunting is often considered the realm of big business or other similarly gargantuan conglomerates, but in reality, finding people to do the job you need best is a universal situation for everyone. Sometimes, you need a specialist who can find the best and brightest for your field. Don’t worry about the bureaucracy, by their nature, […]

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Best Construction Software To Track Employees In 2022

Best Construction Software To Track Employees In 2022

Software plays a significant role in helping both large and small businesses improve their effectiveness and productivity, construction companies inclusive. From measuring and monitoring their employees’ —attendance, schedules, absences, and ventures— to making collaboration effective in a remote team.  Human Resource personnel and Business Leaders can now utilize this software to achieve their organization’s goals.  […]

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How To Prepare For A Career Discussion With Your Boss

How To Prepare For A Career Discussion With Your Boss

In order to have a productive discussion about career growth with your boss, it is important for you to prepare and think through some key items ahead of time. You want to be in full control of your career path and the best way to do that is to approach your manager with confidence and conviction around your career growth goals.

To prepare for the discussion, start by answering some basic questions about yourself and your career:

Basic Career Questions You Should Ask Yourself

What is your personal branding statement with regard to your career?

This response should focus on what you hope to achieve in your career.

What are your values?

This response should include your top five values in life. The importance of answering this question is to be sure your career goals match your current values. For example, if you value innovation, that influences your career choice and objectives.

What are your motivators?

This response includes examples of what motivates you. Is it fast-paced work with short deadlines? Is it structured work or flexible work? As with your values, you want to be sure your career objectives align with your motivators.

Deeper Career Questions To Ask Yourself

Businessman thinks about career goals in preparation for a meeting with his boss

What is your short-term career objective?

This response should be about where you see yourself in the next 12 months. If you want to be in a new assignment, then you should state that, as well as what that assignment could be. If you want to remain in your current role but perhaps take on additional duties, then include that information in this question response.

What is your long-term career objective?

This response highlights your ultimate career growth objective. Some people do not know what this is, but if you do, it is important to share it with your manager. This helps your career plan to be tailored toward reaching your ultimate career goals.

Questions For Planning Career Growth

Manager goes over her employee's career goals

What are your strengths?

This response focuses on your current strengths that you can leverage as you grow in your career.

What are your developmental areas?

This is about the areas where you need to grow so you can reach your career objective.

What are you willing to do in the next 12 months to reach your career objective(s)?

This response should focus on some specific, tactical items (SMART goals) that you can work on over the next 12 months. Consider this your action plan to reach your objective.

After Preparing For A Career Discussion With Your Boss

Confident professional is ready to move forward after important career discussion with manager

After you have these questions answered and feel comfortable with your responses, it is time to share this information with your manager. Ask your boss for input on your career growth objectives and whether they feel these are reasonable and achievable.

Ask them for input on your strengths and development areas and also request their support of your action plan. This will aid in your ability to be successful in reaching your objectives.

By taking the time to answer these questions and prepare for your career discussion, it will be much more productive and, hopefully, a more engaging discussion for both you and your manager.

Not sure how to grow your career? We can help!

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

5 Ways To Find Your Work Passion

5 Ways To Find Your Work Passion

A lot of people tell you to follow your passion, follow your dreams, or do what makes you happy. But how many people are really doing it?

Survey after survey indicates that the majority of employees are unhappy in their professions or wished they had pursued other passions earlier. So, why do they stay?

In reality, it may be a case of not really understanding what they want to do. Finding your work passion is tough when you have no idea where to start. However, the alternative of not figuring it out can leave you even more unhappy, bitter, and unproductive.

When you realize you want to do something else but have no idea where to begin, follow these steps to get started:

Evaluate What Drives You Each Day

In order to find your work passion, you have to evaluate what drives you. What makes you tick? What issues do you feel particularly excited about? What cause or stance would make you drop everything to make life better?

Answering these questions can help you to assess your interests and decide where you can place them in your professional life. They can also help you create an interview bucket list, which is vital to a strategic job search.

Connect Those Strengths To A Career

Professional man and professional woman smiling while going over a work project they are passionate about.

Not every interest translates into a career. For example, just because you love soccer doesn’t mean you can make a career out of it. Instead, focus on the strengths that you have and connect these strengths to a career path. So, for the person who’s interested in soccer, perhaps you also have a real interest in how the sport is marketed. You may want to look into sports marketing positions, which can fulfill both interests.

(P.S. If you want to know which careers you’d thrive in based on your workplace persona, check out our free quiz!)

Ask Yourself If It’s Realistic

Professional woman sitting at her home laptop, wondering if the career she wants to pursue is realistic.

You may be a great public speaker. However, that doesn’t mean you should be the president.

Setting realistic expectations can help you to navigate these strengths into a suitable career. While not everyone can be the president, you can pursue public speaking opportunities elsewhere. To help you, try making a list of all of the jobs you would like to have and narrow them down to jobs you have the most chance of actually landing.

Network And Gain Connections

Happy coworkers talk at work

Networking and gaining the right connections can have dual benefits. First, networking can help you meet people with similar dreams and work passions. These connections can then let you know how they got to where they are, share pros and cons about your passion, and provide some real insight into what you can expect.

Next, networking and gaining the right connections can help you break into an industry. Think of it as that golden ticket to finding and then landing those jobs you would do anything for. This is particularly vital to those who haven’t worked in the given space, even if they love it.

Be Bold

Happy man has a passion for his work

Being bold can get you far in life. It’s how so many innovators and leaders reached that level of greatness.

While your work passion may be out there, it’s necessary to pursue it if it’s important enough to you. Sure, it’s probably going to take a lot of hours and late nights. However, being bold means taking the good with the bad and moving forward with the notion that it’s all worth it. And if it’s not worth it, then you can move on to something that is.

Finding your work passion and relevant jobs when you have no idea where to start can be very frustrating. However, once you understand what your passion is, you can get busy getting your life started, and be happier because of it.

If you could use more help figuring out what you’re passionate about, we’re here for you!

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How to Improve the Teamwork of Retail and Hospitality Teams

How to Improve the Teamwork of Retail and Hospitality Teams

Retail and hospitality teams are very customer-focussed, and because of that, teamwork is essential. You need your team to work together and support each other. A team that works well is one that is immediately more professional and generally nicer to be around, which is a boon for your business.  The retail and hospitality sectors […]

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How to Build The Most Effective Remote Team

How to Build The Most Effective Remote Team

The pandemic has resulted in a shift in work practices; several companies have moved from the usual in-office or onsite work methods to virtual offices. In America, about 26% of employees are currently working remotely. Remote working is fantastic. Employees get to work from the comfort of their homes, while recruiters can choose from a […]

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