Highly successful people use 5 phrases to disagree with their bosses: You’ll ‘earn their respect and trust,’ says expert Disagreeing with powerful individuals can be intimidating, but tactfully challenging senior leaders can foster respect and trust. Successful communicators avoid direct confrontation and instead use specific phrases to introduce counterpoints. Employing these techniques allows professionals to influence upward and address potential issues without damaging their reputation.

• Directly telling a powerful person they are wrong is confrontational and counterproductive.
• Diplomatic disagreement can earn respect and trust from leaders.
• Start by finding common ground before presenting a counterpoint.
• Frame your input as adding nuance or a different perspective, not as a correction.
• Focus on the approach or plan rather than criticizing the person’s thinking.
• Highlight missing information gently, assuming good faith and treating it as an oversight.
• Ask questions that encourage leaders to mentally rehearse an alternative idea, making it more likely to be considered.