You have control over many aspects of your life, but choosing your co-workers isn’t one of them. Hopefully, you enjoy most people you work with, but you probably don’t see eye with everyone all the time.

This can be maddening, whether you’re doing manufacturing contract work in Chicago or have a full-time job. Despite your frustrations, you always need to conduct yourself as a consummate professional at work. This means you have to find a way to work through your differences and get along with your colleagues.

Five Tips to Discuss a Conflicting Viewpoint at Work

Time It Right

There is a time and place for everything, so think before you speak. Bite your tongue if you’re not in a private setting because this conversation only needs to be had between you and the person(s) involved. Wait to approach the issue until you’re in a secluded spot and have time to give the conversation the attention it deserves.

Focus on the Issue

When you disagree with a colleague on a certain topic, it can be hard to separate your feelings on their stance from them as a person. This will get ugly if they feel like you’re attacking their character, so keep your dialogue solely focused on the issueat handd. Calmly explain why you disagree with their viewpoint and how it makes you feel, to help them understand your prospective.

Give the Other Person the Floor

You don’t agree with it, but it’s only fair to let the other person state their case. Show respect by listening carefully to what they have to say and really soaking it in. When you have some perspective, their position on the issue might actually make a little more sense.

Be Willing to Give a Little

Having a ‘my way or the highway’ attitude won’t get you far in life or business. After hearing each other out, work together with your colleague to find a solution that pleases both of you. This could involve meeting in the middle on the issue or simply agreeing to disagree.

Don’t Take It Personally

It’s easy to feel offended by viewpoints that differ from yours, but don’t take that route. The world would be a boring place if everyone shared the same mindset, so take the disagreement for what it was — a clash of opinions. Move past this hiccup and don’t allow it to tarnish your relationship with the person in the future.

If you’re in the market for a new engineering job in the Chicago area, Premium Staffing, Inc. is here to assist. We have connections with some of the region’s top employers, so contact us today to start your search!

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