Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourself at Risk

Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourself at Risk Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourself at Risk Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourself at RiskIn high-risk military situations, theres no time for deliberation. You have to trust the people around you to process information and make decisions quickly, and you must execute without question.Several years ago, I was in this kind of situation. A senior officer ordered me to put my soldiers in harms way I braved the consequences and respectfully offered a safer, equally effective course of action. I got an earful that day. However, he accepted my recommendation, and the mission was accomplished without exposing people to unnecessary risk.Employees in the modern workplace face similar dilemmas. In some organizations, management expects employees to simply follow orders, making it uncomfortable (and costly) to disagree.Know When to Speak UpComplying with requests you dont agree with can result in a number o f consequences, from feelings of resentment to prison time.Its important to consider which situations you can live with and which ones arent worth the risk. Here are four scenarios in which you should feel comfortable disagreeing The request is clearly unethical and/or illegal. Standing up for whats right is always worthwhile, even if you face negative consequences in the short term. If you go along, youll be responsible for the legal and emotional ramifications - it may cost you your reputation or career or harm someone else. From Enron to Bernie Madoff, there are plenty of names who failed to step up and paid the price. The situation puts people at risk. Beyond ethical dilemmas, people are asked to cut corners or put peoples health and welfare at risk. This pressure can be made explicit or manifest subtly, pushing people to behave recklessly.My first post-college job involved inspecting international petroleum shipments coming into New York Harbor. This involved irregular schedule s, long hours, and an inherently dangerous work environment. The job also required driving from facility to facility. After falling asleep at the wheel for the third time from sheer exhaustion - and talking to my coach about it, with no change - I quit. The situation directly conflicts with your personal values. It can be especially uncomfortable to stand up for your personal convictions. If you dont, youll create an uncomfortable work environment for yourself and be forced to consciously behave in an inauthentic way. Living with your decision can be debilitating and spur animosity toward your job and employer. You work in an environment that values debate and pushback. Organizational cultures that value diversity and discussion believe that the best ideas come to light only when gruppe members can speak openly. This can be seen in Googles weekly free-for-all staff meeting or in academic settings, where the underlying belief is that the best ideas and theories can withstand rigorous debate.Push Back Without Putting Yourself at RiskEach scenario requires a different approach to balance your beliefs with your companys request for your cooperation. Heres a four-step process to move forward in a tough spot1. Understand the culture.How you approach dissent depends on the unwritten code of behavior in your workplace. Its important to assess the way people communicate with one another the wrong approach may create unnecessary friction.For example, if your workplace welcomes feedback, pushing back is not only acceptable - its expected. Environments with more rigid structures will demand that you move your concerns up the proper channels to avoid stepping on anyones toes.2. Ask for clarification.If you have an ethical concern, a personal values dilemma, or a disagreement, you can sometimes painlessly resolve the situation by asking, So what youre asking me to do is...? Verifying the request will clarify whats being asked. This will also send the message that it isnt si tting well with you and give the higher-up a chance to reconsider.3. Be honest.If youre mucksmuschenstill conflicted after taking ansicht steps, its time to let your supervisor know that youre not comfortable complying. Schedule a private meeting to talk about your concerns, and dont approach it in a confrontational way.Offer an alternate solution that works in the best interests of both you and your organization. You can also ask management for a second option. This dialogue ensures that youre working together toward a resolution.4. Take the concern up the line or move on.When your superior still expects you to carry out the task - whether its completing a financial transaction or adopting a sleep-debilitating schedule - you have a tough decision to make. For more severe unethical or illegal behaviors, you should bring the problem to the next level of seniority.How you do this depends on your organizations structure, but it might mean taking your concerns to your supervisors superi or or human resources. In extreme cases, you may need to leave the work environment before it negatively impacts your career or reputation.True leaders live by their sense of right and wrong. This can put you at odds with your boss, your organization, or your teammates. If you disagree with a co-worker, present your case professionally to help him see it your way - and take a dismissive response as a sign that its time to move on to a company that will.Chris Cancialosi, Ph.D., is managing partner and founder atgothamCulture. The team at gothamCulture focuses on identifying the underlying causes of organizational obstacles and assisting leaders in developing and executing breakthrough strategies to elevate performance.The team provides critical, thought-provoking insights to leaders who desire to use organizational culture and leadership as key drivers of performance.Reprinted with permissionfrom CareerCast.com, Adicio Inc. All rights reserved.Employees How to Push Back Without Putti ng Yourself at Risk Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourself at RiskIn high-risk military situations, theres no time for deliberation. You have to trust the people around you to process information and make decisions quickly, and you must execute without question.Several years ago, I was in this kind of situation. A senior officer ordered me to put my soldiers in harms way I braved the consequences and respectfully offered a safer, equally effective course of action. I got an earful that day. However, he accepted my recommendation, and the mission was accomplished without exposing people to unnecessary risk.Employees in the modern workplace face similar dilemmas. In some organizations, management expects employees to simply follow orders, making it uncomfortable (and costly) to disagree.Know When to Speak UpComplying with requests you dont agree with can result in a number of consequences, from feelings of resentment to prison time.Its important to consider which situatio ns you can live with and which ones arent worth the risk. Here are four scenarios in which you should feel comfortable disagreeing The request is clearly unethical and/or illegal. Standing up for whats right is always worthwhile, even if you face negative consequences in the short term. If you go along, youll be responsible for the legal and emotional ramifications - it may cost you your reputation or career or harm someone else. From Enron to Bernie Madoff, there are plenty of names who failed to step up and paid the price. The situation puts people at risk. Beyond ethical dilemmas, people are asked to cut corners or put peoples health and welfare at risk. This pressure can be made explicit or manifest subtly, pushing people to behave recklessly.My first post-college job involved inspecting global petroleum shipments coming into New York Harbor. This involved irregular schedules, long hours, and an inherently dangerous work environment. The job also required driving from facility t o facility. After falling asleep at the wheel for the third time from sheer exhaustion - and talking to my supervisor about it, with no change - I quit. The situation directly conflicts with your personal values. It can be especially uncomfortable to stand up for your personal convictions. If you dont, youll create an uncomfortable work environment for yourself and be forced to consciously behave in an inauthentic way. Living with your decision can be debilitating and spur animosity toward your job and employer. You work in an environment that values debate and pushback. Organizational cultures that value diversity and discussion believe that the best ideas come to light only when team members can speak openly. This can be seen in Googles weekly free-for-all staff meeting or in academic settings, where the underlying belief is that the best ideas and theories can withstand rigorous debate.Push Back Without Putting Yourself at RiskEach scenario requires a different approach to balanc e your beliefs with your companys request for your cooperation. Heres a four-step process to move forward in a tough spot1. Understand the culture.How you approach dissent depends on the unwritten code of behavior in your workplace. Its important to assess the way people communicate with one another the wrong approach may create unnecessary friction.For example, if your workplace welcomes feedback, pushing back is not only acceptable - its expected. Environments with more rigid structures will demand that you move your concerns up the proper channels to avoid stepping on anyones toes.2. Ask for clarification.If you have an ethical concern, a personal values dilemma, or a disagreement, you can sometimes painlessly resolve the situation by asking, So what youre asking me to do is...? Verifying the request will clarify whats being asked. This will also send the message that it isnt sitting well with you and give the higher-up a chance to reconsider.3. Be honest.If youre still conflicte d after taking these steps, its time to let your supervisor know that youre not comfortable complying. Schedule a private meeting to talk about your concerns, and dont approach it in a confrontational way.Offer an alternate solution that works in the best interests of both you and your organization. You can also ask management for a second option. This dialogue ensures that youre working together toward a resolution.4. Take the concern up the line or move on.When your superior still expects you to carry out the task - whether its completing a financial transaction or adopting a sleep-debilitating schedule - you have a tough decision to make. For more severe unethical or illegal behaviors, you should bring the problem to the next level of seniority.How you do this depends on your organizations structure, but it might mean taking your concerns to your supervisors superior or human resources. In extreme cases, you may need to leave the work environment before it negatively impacts your career or reputation.True leaders live by their sense of right and wrong. This can put you at odds with your boss, your organization, or your teammates. If you disagree with a co-worker, present your case professionally to help him see it your way - and take a dismissive response as a sign that its time to move on to a company that will.Chris Cancialosi, Ph.D., is managing partner and founder atgothamCulture. The team at gothamCulture focuses on identifying the underlying causes of organizational obstacles and assisting leaders in developing and executing breakthrough strategies to elevate performance.The team provides critical, thought-provoking insights to leaders who desire to use organizational culture and leadership as key drivers of performance.Reprinted with permissionfrom CareerCast.com, Adicio Inc. All rights reserved.