How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful: The Harvard Business Review Guide

Harvard Business Review · Oct 15, 2026 · 10m

How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful: The Harvard Business Review Guide

Uploaded 26-10-21

26 Oct 2021

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Just agreeing with your boss (or your boss’s boss) feels easier, but it’s often better to voice your disagreement. HBR's Amy Gallo shows how.

00:00 Let’s say you disagree with someone more powerful than you. Should you say so?

00:30 Before deciding, do a risk assessment

01:39 When and where to voice disagreement

02:20 What to say ...

04:00 … and how to say it

05:38 Ok, let’s recap!

How exactly do you voice dissent with your superior? And is it always worth it to do so? First, weigh…