You like apples, I like peaches. That's fine! People have not just different tastes but different opinions. This episode talks about how to handle different opinions gracefully.
It is a matter of Professional Etiquette.
[00:00:00] You like apples, but I like peaches. That's fine. Why we easily accept people with different tastes? It is difficult to accept people with differing opinions, isn't it? Differing opinions are inevitable in any collaborative setting. While they can spark conflicts, handling them
[00:00:32] gracefully unlocks opportunities for growth and better decision making. Hello and welcome to Eloquence Echoes with Tanuja. I am your host, Tanuja Khanduja, a communication and conversational intelligence coach. This podcast will give you weekly insights
[00:00:55] to any way to you, from just a communicator to a brilliant communicator over time. Stay tuned. In today's episode, you will learn three tips to gracefully handle differing opinions. Tip number one, instead of getting defensive or preparing a rebuttal or thinking
[00:01:26] to defend yourself while the other person is speaking, make a conscious effort to listen attentively and understand their perspective. You can nod, maintain eye contact and ask clarifying questions if needed. For example, during a marketing strategy meeting, your colleague
[00:01:51] suggests a social media campaign that you think might be ineffective. Instead of immediately shooting it down, you could say, I appreciate you bringing up that idea. Could you explain a bit more about how you envision that campaign working? I want to make sure I fully understand
[00:02:13] your perspective. So the tip number one is listen actively and seek to understand if you differ from the other person's perspective. Tip number two, acknowledging the other person's opinion as valid and reasonable even if you don't fully agree can go a long way in maintaining
[00:02:40] a respectful and productive dialogue. Isn't that who you all want? For example, in a discussion about implementing a new software system, a team member raises concerns about the potential disruption to existing workflow. You could respond, I can understand your
[00:03:04] hesitation about changing our current processes. Change can be unsettling and your concern about potential disruptions is valid. So tip number two is validate their viewpoint even if you disagree. Don't just reject anything. Tip number three, when expressing a differing
[00:03:33] opinion frame it as your personal perspective rather than an absolute truth or accusation against the other person's viewpoint. For example, in a project planning meeting, a colleague suggests a timeline that you think is unrealistic. Instead of saying your timeline is completely
[00:03:54] unrealistic, you could say I have some concerns about the proposed timeline. Based on my experience with similar projects, I think we may need more time to account for potential delays or roadblocks. So the tip is use eye statements. I think I have some concerns. Avoid accusatory
[00:04:22] language. Just like how some naturally prefer apples while others prefer peaches, different perspectives on work issues or ideas is just part of the normal diversity of human taste and thinking. If someone differs with you in their opinion, it doesn't mean that they
[00:04:49] are insulting you. Most of the times it is difficult to accept a differing opinion. There could be many reasons. Two main reasons are first, ego and personal investment because you hold a very strong opinion on something especially if you have put a lot of thought
[00:05:14] or effort into developing that viewpoint. So when somebody differs from it or doesn't accept it, you feel like a personal attack on your intelligence or judgment. Our ego gets wrapped up in being right and you flare up. The second reason could be lack of empathy.
[00:05:37] It's easier to be dismissive of differing opinions when we fail to meet the effort to understand the experiences and perspectives that shaped that viewpoint for that person. That is why these three tips are important to maintain that harmony in the work environment.
[00:06:03] Handling different opinions with grace is not just a matter of professional etiquette. It's a critical skill that can have far reaching impact on team dynamics, problem solving abilities and overall organizational success. So what can you do to handle these
[00:06:25] different opinions gracefully, listen actively, validate others' viewpoints and communicate with respect and emotional intelligence? By doing so, you can transform potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and collaboration. Embrace differing opinions as a catalyst for innovation and watch as your team thrives in an environment of open and
[00:06:57] productive discourse. That's all in this episode. Bye bye, see you in the next one.