When someone disagrees with you respectfully, it means they believe the relationship can handle it. They are trusting that you will not retaliate, dismiss, or label them difficult. That is not something people do lightly. So if someone brings you a different perspective, especially one that challenges a decision you made, recognise the trust it takes to do that.
Instead of seeing disagreement as opposition, see it as investment. This person is giving you a chance to see what they see, to understand something you may have missed. That is not defiance. That is commitment. When teams know their input matters even when it’s uncomfortable, they stop hiding their best insights.
Trust is built on what happens next. If someone sees that their feedback leads to better outcomes or at least more thoughtful discussions, they will feel safe offering it again. But if their honesty is met with silence or frustration, they’ll learn to stay quiet and so will everyone else watching.
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