@hackyourhr: Part 6 in my series on how to get promoted this year is about disagreeing productively. If you want to move up, you cannot avoid conflict. A (very) common weakness I see in general is not being able to disagree - we are by nature avoidant of discomfort. You have to learn how to challenge ideas without challenging authority. There’s a Harvard Business Review piece called “How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful Than You” and the core idea is simple: power dynamics change how your message lands. So when your boss makes a call you believe will hurt the business, most people either stay quiet or bluntly say they disagree. Neither of those approaches builds trust. The better approach is more strategic. First, decide if it's worth speaking up. If the risk to the business is bigger than the risk to your ego, you say something. Second, ask permission to engage: “Can I pressure test that with you for a minute?” This language signals that you're on the same side as your boss. And third, frame your point as *curiosity tied to outcomes.* For example "I’m wondering how we’ll protect early retention if onboarding shortens. Do you think we’d see an impact there?” Now you're anchored in shared goals - not in being right. And last point is to strip out judgment language. Stay grounded in data, impact, and the company winning. Leaders are watching how you handle tension. Whether they know it or not, that's what they do. I can attest after being a sounding board for leaders for years. Ok and final thought is that emotional regulation under pressure signals executive maturity. I've always said it's your superpower. The difference between someone who has opinions and someone who gets promoted is how they deliver them. Stick around for Part 7 tomorrow!

Amy Lentz | Hack Your HR

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Monday 23 February 2026 13:24:10 GMT