Use these two simple words to make a profound difference in your career

If you want to maximize your impact and happiness at work, there are two words you need to become comfortable saying:

I disagree.

No waffling. No hedging. No holding your tongue. If you disagree with a person, a strategy, or a decision, it's your job to speak up.

Disagreement is conflict resolution

People disagree constantly at work. It's a natural and healthy tension when smart people build something together. But unless those disagreements get spoken out loud and resolved, the underlying tensions will simmer, fester, and derail progress.

Just say the words

You're a kind person. Your instinct is likely to "play nice" and soften your words or beat around the bush. But holding your tongue isn't playing nice; it's just risking harder conversations later and poor outcomes for everyone. Say it out loud: "I disagree."

Misalignment is poison

When everyone politely goes along it isn't agreement. It's fake alignment. This leads to resentment, back-biting, second-guessing and working at cross-purposes. Saying "I disagree" and reaching actual alignment leads to happier people and better results.

You may never agree

Speaking up does not mean that every decision will go your way. That's OK. You can "disagree and commit" once you've made your case. But not speaking up rarely leads to full commitment. And it always leads to feeling resentful and frustrated.

Give the gift of disagreeing

It will feel awkward at first. You will be tempted to go with the flow and not rock the boat. Fight those instincts. Speaking up clearly when you disagree will make you a more valuable player at your company and help you sleep better at night.

Don't allow implicit alignment to happen. Say the words: "I disagree."