The Gentle Art Of Breaking UP

Some conversations are just hard to have. We ask three experts how you can have them without things getting awkward (or nasty).

YOU DISAGREE WITH YOUR BOSS AND WANT TO VOICE YOUR OPINION

Struggle with this a lot? Don’t feel bad—it’s not uncommon.

“Openly disagreeing with your boss is one of the hardest things to do in a professional setting,” says Kristina Lee, a business support consultant at Robert Walters Singapore. She points out that disagreements are typically over salary, work-life balance, promotions and micromanagement. Whatever the issue, you should learn how to manage a tough conversation with your superior.

“The discussion needs to be constructive, logical and non-condescending. Also, focus on the outcome to demonstrate your drive and desire to be successful in your role [without causing further problems],” she adds.

Here are four steps to guide you.

Focus on positives

“If the conversation is about a salary increment, frame the conversation around your achievements.”

ASK AWAY

Calmly explain why you disagree and ask questions, such as “Why did my colleague get a promotion when I am performing equally well?” and “What do I need to achieve to earn a promotion?” to clarify the issue.

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