How to Disagree with Someone Who Has More Power Than You

It's important that you feel validated in this world and that your opinions are being heard. "Being heard" can be difficult when you disagree with someone who has more power than you, especially if you feel intimidated by them. The good news is, there are several tips to disagree with someone that has more power than you that can keep you from feeling nervous and insecure. 

 

Pick The Right Time

 

First and foremost, when it comes to disagreeing with your superior, it's all about the timing. Don't voice your contrary opinion to your boss in the middle of a meeting with people who came to evaluate them. Instead, wait until you can have some one-on-one time to discuss why your opinions are different. This way, neither of you feeling attacked or embarrassed. 

 

Identify Goals You Share

 

Shared goals are especially important in a business setting, as one of the reasons you may disagree is because of the method used to reach said goals. So when starting this type of disagreement, make sure you mention the shared goal first, reiterate how you want to work towards it together, then voice the procedure you disagree with. This diplomacy will help the person of power see you as more of an equal than an enemy. 

 

Stay Calm

 

One of the most important things you need to remember when disagreeing with someone who has more power than you is that you need to stay calm. This is because if you start to get too emotional or out of control, the person in power may see it as an attack. Not only that, but they may feel that they can't reason with you if your emotions are out of control. If you feel yourself starting to get riled up, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you need to speak calmly to be heard properly. 

 

It can be extremely difficult to get up the nerve to disagree with someone who has more power than you. So before you do so, make sure you find a time that is good for the two of you and feel calm when you start the discussion. You also need to identify common goals to help the individual see you as an equal. Then stay calm the entire time, and you may find out that you've gotten your way at the end. 

 

8 Top Public Speaking Tips

So, you've got to give a speech in public? Once your stomach stops churning, here are some public speaking tips that should make your job easier. 

 

1. Outline your speech 

 

Write out what you are going to talk about. Your outline should cover all the points you want to make in your speech, in a reasonably logical order. 

 

2. Make notes 

 

One of the easiest ways is to use old-fashioned 3x5 index cards. Each one should have a bullet point on it that you can expand on. If you're using a PowerPoint slide show, then this should give you the basis for your notes. 

 

3. Practice your presentation 

 

Stand in front of a mirror and practice your speech. If you're likely to be embarrassed, do this while no one else is at home. Speaking out loud is a necessary part of this practice. Sure, it may be uncomfortable the first few times you try it, but you'll get better as you go along. Note where you stumble—this will help you decide where you need to change your speech slightly. 

 

4. Talk to one person 

 

It doesn't matter whether you're talking in a business meeting with one other person or addressing hundreds, or even thousands, of people. Talk as though you are talking face-to-face with one person. If you've got a large audience, focus on one person and talk to them. 

 

5. Stay away from humor 

 

Unless you're a renowned after dinner speaker, humor is best left out of your speech. Not everyone shares the same sense of humor so you’re likely to either fall flat (no one will laugh) or you’ll offend someone unintentionally. It’s safest to just avoid humor unless it’s spontaneous.

 

6. Don't fidget 

 

If you've got a podium then there's a natural place to put your hands. If you haven't, plan ahead of time what you’ll do with your hands so you don't fidget or gesture too much. Fidgeting makes you look nervous! 

 

7. If you stumble, carry on 

 

Most of your audience will be relieved that it's not them giving the speech. If you stumble, recover as fast as you can. Do your best not to get flustered and make sure you keep your place in your speech so you can recover from any glitches quickly. 

 

8. Keep it short 

 

Unless you've been told that you absolutely have to speak for a set amount of time, stick to the idea that less is more. Don't bore your audience. Ideally, they should be wanting more when you've finished your set speech.