Is it a good thing to disagree in work meetings? Do you agree with someone disagreeing with what you or someone else in the team is saying? And, are you comfortable with this happening when you're hosting a meeting?
Communications skills - Agreeing to disagree
It is no surprise that communications skills have needed to adapt over recent years, and there has been a significant shift towards online communications. One concern is that people may not want to speak up during online business/creative meetings, meaning no ideas are challenged, innovation can be limited, and everything stands still or becomes predictable.
Disagreeing can be healthy
Disagreeing or raising a different point of view in meetings can create a healthy discussion and force people to look at the topic differently. It can question the reasons 'why' you are doing what you are doing and ensure there is a reason for all of your decisions and choices. In a marketing sense, it is a great way to acknowledge any problems before it gets put in front of a consumer, and these same questions are inevitably asked.
The art of confrontational communications
First of all, it is essential to differentiate between disagreeing and people getting along. If someone puts their point of view forward and it is different from yours or someone else's, that doesn't necessarily mean there is an unhealthy relationship within the team; it just means that views and opinions are being challenged and questioned.
That said, there is a way to go around raising a disagreement in a meeting without coming across as too aggressive and completely disregarding others' ideas.
Communications Skills 1 - Explain your reasoning
When you disagree with another person's point, it is essential to explain why you disagree. Why do you feel this isn't the best approach or suggestion? Ensure you explain that it is not that you think it's a bad idea; you just think it could be done in a different way to lead to a better outcome.
For example, 'That's one way of doing it; however, I think approaching it this way would better communicate to our audience because…'
By explaining, you're showing that person that it isn't a personal attack; you've done your research and believe you have something else to bring to the table that would give better results for everyone.
Communications Skills 2 - Invite other opinions
You want to encourage other people to give opinions about your idea and encourage them to speak up if they have an idea of their own. When we think of an idea or a scenario in our head, it's from our perspective and can therefore be narrow in the approach. Hence, you want to ensure everyone in the meeting gives their viewpoint and interpretation of what you've suggested.
This also opens up a discussion and ideas can be built upon and expanded the more it is opened up for debate.
How to find Communications Skills training courses
If you are looking to improve upon your communications skills, there a thousands of different CPD courses available in the Course Catalogue. Please simply search through the industry categories or use the CPD search bar to find relevant communication skills courses suitable for your professional learning.
About The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996, and is the largest and leading CPD accreditation organisation working across all industry sectors. We provide CPD certification for training providers and events organisers to ensure that learning activities are suitable for Continuing Professional Development.
