Healthy debate would be a part of the decision-making process, but ultimately everyone would agree on the best solution, and then the company would implement it. In this ideal scenario, once the decision was finalized, there would be no more conflict or disputes. The whole team would work together to implement every change, because every change would ultimately be unanimously approved. However, this is not realistic. Inevitably every manager and employee sometimes will have to carry out decisions they disagree with.
Enacting decisions you disagree with can take many forms: maybe you find the assignment unpleasant or inconvenient; maybe you suggested a different idea that was passed over; maybe you dislike the person who made the decision. What the decision was and why you disagree with it are unimportant. What matters is how you respond now that the decision has been made.
This is extremely important if you’re in a management role, as you are responsible for communicating the decision to your team and ensuring that they follow through on it. Your direct reports are far less likely to do their jobs if they perceive you as being opposed to it.
The solution is not to force yourself to agree. You can certainly hold your own opinion, after all. And if you have an issue, there should be formal avenues for you to express your objections; but once that decision has been made, it’s your job to implement it and keep your reservations to yourself. This is, of course, easier said than done; we are only human, after all, so we’ve created an action plan to help you maintain your professionalism.
Here are few action plan
1. Align your thinking
2. Recognize the impact of your role
3. Communicate appropiately
4. Know when to disagree
Whether it’s the big issues of overall strategy and direction, or it’s the daily and hourly steps taken to keep things running, the work of every person in every organization is the result of thousands upon thousands of decisions. With so many choices to make, and so much at stake in each one, it’s impossible for everybody to always agree.Maintaining a functioning workplace, though, depends on people having respect for and trust in each other, and on people being able to put the needs of the organization as a whole above their own egos or preferences. When a decision is being made, organizations are best served by having as many people offer as many perspectives as possible, but once the discussion is over, and action is taken, everyone stands together.
If you have any other point to add to this please do so. Saving Changes...
I look at such situations as a negotiation with myself. What's my BATNA if I can't agree with the decision - walk away? If so, then that's worth considering, otherwise you take one for the team/hold your nose and march!
Kiron
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1 reply by Riyadh Salih
Apr 17, 2018 9:58 PM
Riyadh Salih
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Kiron,
Some of the decision is just related to different technical opinion so I don't see that walking away is best solution, I mean you can't just walk away most of the time there will be no place to walk to.
A few small things -
a) We work for the betterment project and in its best interest
b) If the decision is not in best interest of project and stakeholder - negotiate
c) Do not let your ego overcome you
d) If the decision is forced and you consider it will be low (ethically) of you to carry out those decision walk out gracefully.
Depends if the decisions are functional, ethical, possible, legal, in line with project plan, and strategic objectives of the organization etc.
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1 reply by Riyadh Salih
Apr 17, 2018 10:04 PM
Riyadh Salih
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Sante, yeah those points ethical, legal are not included as it is assumed that these are the foundation and they are in line with all good principles, other than that like technical decision, using one way than other etc
I did not meant that you compromise on the fundamentals.
I look at such situations as a negotiation with myself. What's my BATNA if I can't agree with the decision - walk away? If so, then that's worth considering, otherwise you take one for the team/hold your nose and march!
Kiron
Kiron,
Some of the decision is just related to different technical opinion so I don't see that walking away is best solution, I mean you can't just walk away most of the time there will be no place to walk to. Saving Changes...
Depends if the decisions are functional, ethical, possible, legal, in line with project plan, and strategic objectives of the organization etc.
Sante, yeah those points ethical, legal are not included as it is assumed that these are the foundation and they are in line with all good principles, other than that like technical decision, using one way than other etc
I did not meant that you compromise on the fundamentals. Saving Changes...
A few small things -
a) We work for the betterment project and in its best interest
b) If the decision is not in best interest of project and stakeholder - negotiate
c) Do not let your ego overcome you
d) If the decision is forced and you consider it will be low (ethically) of you to carry out those decision walk out gracefully.
Narinder ji thank you for your notes. Saving Changes...
1. Pick your battles. Not every decision one disagrees with has to be contested. Some times it is definitely better to toe the line.
2. Question the decision only when it is still being made. Once the decision is made and you have participated in that process - there is no room to question it any more (at least, not publicly). That decision is the "team decision" from that point forth and there is no benefit in undermining the authority of that team by sniping about how one feels about that decision.
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1 reply by Riyadh Salih
Apr 21, 2018 11:10 AM
Riyadh Salih
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Karan Shah Sb, Thank you so much for correctly interpret my words.
1. Pick your battles. Not every decision one disagrees with has to be contested. Some times it is definitely better to toe the line.
2. Question the decision only when it is still being made. Once the decision is made and you have participated in that process - there is no room to question it any more (at least, not publicly). That decision is the "team decision" from that point forth and there is no benefit in undermining the authority of that team by sniping about how one feels about that decision.
Karan Shah Sb, Thank you so much for correctly interpret my words. Saving Changes...
