I recently attended a business think tank meeting where a relatively new group member uttered a two word phrase that momentarily transformed the room to a state of stunned silence. His two word, passionately stated declaration: “You’re wrong“.
If you seek a cohesive exchange of ideas for potential solutions, I believe using that any form of this phrase to express a difference of opinion will defeat your purpose. Why do I believe this is true? One of the strongest of human needs is the need to be right. Some argue that this need can be strong enough to induce people to fly airlines in skyscrapers. When you threaten or challenge this coveted need, you are likely to stimulate an emotional reaction, perhaps an angry confrontation. Even in absence of a reaction, you have expressed the ultimate sign of disrespect for the other person. You might influence the other person to respect your point of view. But what are you saying about your respect for the other person? And, what does it do for others’ respect for you as a person?
For those who believe it does, I “respectfully disagree” and even “beg to differ“.
Your respectful differences of opinion via comments are welcomed.
Tom Lemanski serves as an executive coach and trusted advisor to successful Chicago area executives who are driven to be more successful. Tom has developed leaders in over 60 different industries of the the past 20 years.
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“Power today comes from sharing information, not from withholding it.'” – Keith Ferrazzi