How to Respectfully Discuss Contentious Issues at Work

A recent study shows that people feel unsafe to speak their minds at work, particularly on contentious topics. But the author argues that may be more of a function of how we perceive our conversation partners than the trickiness of the topics themselves. After all, when we talk about issues that are emotionally and politically risky, we tend to see the other person in a more negative light. We tell ourselves stories that portray us as virtuous victims and the other party as evil villains. To feel more confident and less fearful about speaking up with your peers, there are tactics you can use, including maintaining curiosity, focusing on facts rather than judgments or opinions, questioning your assumptions, and recognizing you have a right to your viewpoint, even if others disagree with it.