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How to Disagree Without Being Divisive

THE BLUE TREE

Better
Communicator

CEFR B2

Upper
Intermediate

Practise speaking by describing this image

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warm up

Answer the questions below. Then listen to the sample answers and report back on what you’ve heard.

Do you usually agree or disagree with your workmates?

TRANSCRIPT

I think it depends on the situation. Most of the time, I tend to agree with my workmates because we’re usually aligned on the same goals. But when I do disagree, I try to focus on the facts and the bigger picture. It’s not about being right, but about reaching the best outcome for everyone involved.

What’s your strategy for expressing opposing opinions?

TRANSCRIPT

My strategy when expressing a different opinion is to be respectful and open. I start by acknowledging the other person’s point of view before sharing mine. Something like, ‘I see where you’re coming from, but have you considered…’ That way, it doesn’t feel like I’m shutting them down, but rather opening up the conversation for both sides.

How can we help people see our point of view?

TRANSCRIPT

Helping people see your point of view can be tricky, but I think it’s all about listening and understanding first. If you show genuine interest in their perspective, they’ll be more open to hearing yours. Asking questions to explore their reasoning, and then presenting your ideas with evidence or examples, can bridge the gap between differing opinions.

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LISTENING

Listen to the audio. What is the main message of this HBR Management Tip?

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reading

Read the article below. Check the meaning of some difficult words by moving your mouse over them.

How to Disagree Without Being Divisive

Many of us try to avoid conversations with those who have a sharply different point of view, or we try to convince them that they’re wrong. Neither approach is very productive. It’s possible to have healthy disagreements by employing a few tactics. Start by acknowledging the other person’s perspective, whether you agree with it or not. Say something like, “I understand where you’re coming from,” or, “Thank you for sharing your position,” before you state your point of view. Also, demonstrate 1. humility. While confidence is important in making persuasive arguments, too much of it can be 2. abrasive and even offensive. And be sure to phrase your argument in positive terms. For instance, you could say something like, “Let’s consider the possible benefits of having fewer people working on the marketing initiative,” rather than “We shouldn’t have any more people working on the marketing initiative.” Finally, if things start to get heated, 3. reiterate areas of agreement — even if they’re small and obvious. Something simple, such as “We both want this pandemic to end,” or “We agree that social distancing is presenting 4. unprecedented challenges,” can reestablish common ground. These strategies can help loosen 5. gridlock, 6. animosity, and 7. resentment and open the door for connection.

This tip is adapted from “Disagreement Doesn’t Have to Be Divisive,” by Francesca Gino

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COMPREHENSION

Answer the questions below. Try to throw some of the newly learned words into your answers.

How do many people approach others who disagree with them?
Is it possible to disagree without being divisive?
How can we acknowledge other person’s perspective?
How can we demonstrate humility?
How can we phrase our arguments in positive terms?
What can we do if things get heated?
What are the possible advantages of employing these tactics?

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POLL

Cast your vote in the poll.

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STUDY SECTION

LANGUAGE OF AGREEMENT AND DISAGREEMENT

Study and learn these ways of agreeing, disagreeing and showing reservations.

AGREE

Yes, I agree completely.
I’d go along with that.
Yes, you have a point there.
That’s exactly how I feel.
I entirely agree with you.

DISAGREE

That’s out of the question.
I’m afraid, I can’t agree with that.
That’s not how I see this.
I couldn’t agree less.
I think it misses the point.

DOUBTS

I agree up to a point.
I agree to some extent.
I think that’s going a bit too far.
I don’t think it’s as simple as that.
You could be right but, …

SAMPLE DIALOGUES

Complete these dialogues with the words from the expressions above.

Complete these dialogues with the words for agreement, disagreement and showing doubts.

Dialogue 1

Anna: We need to finalise the presentation for tomorrow. I think we should simplify the data section so the board doesn’t get lost in details.
Mark: Yes, you have a there. A cleaner structure would definitely make our message stronger.
Anna: Great. So let’s remove two of the charts and keep only what really supports the recommendation.
Mark: Absolutely. That’s how I feel.

Dialogue 2

Julia: I’m thinking of signing up for yoga classes again. I’ve been feeling stiff and tired lately.
Marek: I entirely agree you. Some regular stretching would really help your energy levels.
Julia: Exactly. And it’s also a good way to disconnect from work.
Marek: Yes, I’d go with that. Let me know which group you choose.

Dialogue 3

Ewa: I believe we should delay the product launch by at least two months. The marketing team still isn’t ready.
Tomasz: I’m I can’t agree with that. A delay would hurt our sales targets for the entire quarter.
Ewa: But launching unfinished materials might damage our brand.
Tomasz: That’s not I see this. I think we can polish the campaign while the product goes live.

Dialogue 4

Adam: I’m telling you, we don’t need a guide for this mountain trail. It looks easy enough.
Ola: I couldn’t agree . The weather can change quickly, and we’re not familiar with the area.
Adam: Come on, it’s just a short walk.
Ola: That’s of the question. Safety first. Let’s hire a guide and avoid unnecessary risks.

Dialogue 5

Kasia: We should switch entirely to remote work. It would cut costs and boost productivity.
Paweł: I agree to a point, but I don’t think it’s as simple as that. Some teams really need face-to-face collaboration.
Kasia: Maybe a hybrid model, then?
Paweł: Yes, that could work. You could be , but we’d need clear guidelines to avoid confusion.

Dialogue 6

Marta: I’m thinking of adopting two dogs at once. They won’t feel lonely, and it will be more fun.
Piotr: I agree to extent, but I think that’s going a bit too . Two puppies mean twice the training and twice the cost.
Marta: True… I didn’t think about the workload.
Piotr: Maybe start with one and see how it goes?