Even if you get along with your coworkers most of the time, sooner or later, you’re going to have a difference of opinion with them. That’s just what happens when everyone’s invested in their work.
To resolve these arguments, you need listening skills, empathy … and the ability to communicate your point of view. In this week’s roundup, we look at science-backed advice for winning arguments at work, plus when and how to unfriend someone on LinkedIn and how to fit self-learning into your busy schedule.
David Hoffeld at Fast Company: This Is The Scientific Way To Win Any Argument (And Not Make Enemies)
Need to get your coworkers to see your point of view?
“For starters, you should realize that your odds aren’t exactly superb,” Hoffeld writes. “Belief change, as psychologist and fellow Fast Company contributor Art Markman put it, is frequently ‘a war of attrition. There’s usually no one argument that can suddenly get someone to see the light.’ Still, some fascinating research suggests that reframing your ideas can boost your opponent’s receptiveness to them.”
Learn how to do that with these tips.
Donna Svei at Avid Careerist: How to Unfriend Someone on LinkedIn
When should you unfriend someone on LinkedIn? Hardly ever, according to Svei. But there are some times when it’s the only thing to do.
For example, Svei was forced to unfriend “a US national who kept sending me messages about finding him jobs in the Middle East. Over and over. I don’t recruit for any clients in the Middle East, and I don’t recruit in his field or industry. I told him this. The messages continued.”
If you’re being pestered to that degree, it might be worth it to disconnect. If that feels too severe, though, the good news is that you have other options to protect your time and space online. Learn more tips in this post.
Sharlyn Lauby at HR Bartender: How to Plan Time For Self Learning
“There are lots of great articles about how to ‘own your career’ or ‘the best leadership books to read’,” Lauby writes. “I’m not knocking those articles. Heck, I’ve written a few of them. The question is time.”
The first step, she says, is to be realistic about what’s possible. Find out what else you can do to fit learning into your already packed schedule, here.
Tell Us What You Think
What’s the best career advice you’ve read this week? We want to hear from you. Share your tips in the comments or join the conversation on Twitter.
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