Political Dilemmas at Work: How to Maintain Your Integrity and Further Your Career

Challenge Your Boss Constructively

If you have decided that you are not willing to do what you’ve been asked to do, then it is time to take some action. Choosing to passively resist will not solve the dilemma; it will merely delay the problem, and you will continue to feel stressed. Proactive challenge is the best way forward in many cases. This is not easy, and your best preparation is to have thought the issue through and made clear decisions about where you stand.

A blunt refusal is unlikely to succeed, and it could turn the meeting into a direct confrontation. Your chances of success are much higher if you engage your boss in a constructive manner. Helping him rethink the decision will bring out a healthy debate, which will give both of you the opportunity to build and share a greater understanding of the situation. Adding in your creative alternatives will move the decision toward a more favorable and palatable option for you.

When meeting with your boss remain clear, concise, and objective. Keep your emotions under control—this will keep the meeting focused on the facts. Losing control brings the risk that the meeting will turn into an argument rather than a constructive debate. Remember to recognize and demonstrate your understanding of your boss’s position as you negotiate for a safer approach that lowers the risks for everyone.

Good preparation and a constructive approach provide the best route to success. But you have to be realistic too. In these situations, ...