Opinions in the Office
One of the hardest things to do in an appropriate way is to be opinionated at work. Unfortunately, it is easy to offend someone and often times we say something without realizing how it will be perceived by others. So how do we express views and positions we care about without getting in HR trouble? Additionally, how do we have conversations with people who see things differently than we do? There is no simple answer, but we can talk about some approaches to help stay out of trouble.
Know your Audience
Talking about difficult topics can be a very rewarding experience. It is a great opportunity to learn about other people’s views and it usually ends with some sort of educational moment. People are different and that is okay, what is not okay is judging. That being said, this is not the type of conversation you want to have with people you have just met or are new to your workplace. It is crucial to show you are respectful of others before discussing any beliefs. Furthermore, make sure you know who you’re talking to and who is listening. Often times a comment can be taken the wrong way when out of context and when being over heard. This is a worse case scenario. We do not want people to assume we are judgmental or even hateful because of a comment made in error or as a joke. So if you are unsure if something can be taken out of context simply keep your mouth shut for another time.
Ask Questions
One of the best parts of living in America is we have freedom of expression, freedom of beliefs, and freedom of speech. Everyone is different and most of society is accepting of this. However, there are often holidays, religious events and practices, and cultural differences between us and they create difficult barriers. We might not understand why someone dresses a certain way, eats a particular diet, or worships in a fashion that is foreign to us. What we must remember is it is okay to ask people questions. It is crucial that we ask in an appropriate and respectful way, but there is nothing wrong with being curious. If someone is a different religion there is nothing wrong with asking what a holiday is about and listening. I cannot overstate the importance of being respectful of boundaries and the importance of understanding when a person is not interested in explaining. If you ask and someone clearly doesn’t want to talk about it do not push the topic further. Simply state that you want to learn and apologize if they are offended. If a person is open to discussion listen to what they have to say and ask follow up questions. We will only become a stronger society by understanding others and we will never learn if we do not ask the right questions at the right time.
Politics
If there is one topic that no one will ever fully agree on it is politics. Some people are very passionate about their beliefs and some people are more laid back. Talking about positions on complicated issues can be career suicide. Understanding and trying to learn about different cultures is a very different topic then gun laws or abortion rights. These topics are best kept out of any professional environment. The workplace should not be an avenue for politics and it should not be a place where people’s person views are forced on others. This is why most major companies have rules against promoting a certain candidate, issue, or law. Voting booths are private for a reason. People should never be judged, criticized, or punished for a position or supporting a candidate. We are afforded the ability to keep our choices private. If you are passionate and want to talk about your views that is your right. Just do it in the socially acceptable way. Do not do it while at work and do not let it divide your office. Just like any aspect of life, a unified office is stronger than a broken one. Do not let political opinion create a rift in your workplace environment.
It is easy to express an opinion, but it is difficult to listen to others especially if they disagree with you. Just remember to be respectful of everyone and do not judge people. Do not force your beliefs on others and do not create uncomfortable situations by talking about the wrong topic at the wrong time. Remember that you will make mistakes. Just make sure to learn from them and apologize when it is appropriate. We are stronger together, our disagreements should lead to a better understanding and some sort of compromise. Living in the United States of America is a privilege, make sure we realize this because millions around the world do not have the same freedoms we do. Finally, remember to be understanding and open minded. You will be a better person by doing so.