Not everyone is going to be on the same page about everything, and there will be times when your conversations with colleagues, friends, or even family members get a little bit tense when you’re on two different sides of an issue. Instead of backing down, use one of these phrases to show you’re confident in your perspective and won’t be beaten into submission.
1. “I get where you’re coming from, but I disagree.”
Source: Unsplash You can appreciate someone’s perspective without agreeing with it. Validate them by letting them know you’ve considered their POV, but that you still feel confident in your take on the situation. Most of the time, people just want to feel heard — once they do, they’re more likely to accept that not everyone sees things their way.
2. “I need some time to think about that.”
Source: Unsplash If you’re feeling under pressure or you’re just not sure how to let the person know that you think what they’re saying is total rubbish, you can use this to buy yourself a bit of time. It’s not exactly a lie, anyway — you do need time to think… about how you’re going to tell them that you’re not on the same page.
3. “I appreciate your opinion, but I’ve made up my mind.”
Source: Unsplash You’ve made a decision and you plan on sticking to it, and this tells the person exactly that. In other words, they shouldn’t waste their time arguing the point or trying to convince you to come around. Your word is final, and that’s just how it’s going to go.
4. “I’m not comfortable with that.”
Source: Unsplash You don’t need to justify or explain yourself beyond this statement. If someone says something that makes you uncomfortable or that you really do not want to be involved with under any circumstances, this statement makes that clear. If they continue to push things, they don’t respect you.
5. “Let’s agree to disagree.”
Source: Unsplash This is an oldie but a goodie, particularly when there’s no way you’re ever going to see eye to eye on an issue. At a certain point, you realize you’re just going ’round and ’round the same points and getting nowhere. That’s when you just have to throw in the towel and recognize that your differing thoughts/feelings/opinions are never going to line up.
6. “I’d like to hear more about why you feel that way.”
This conveys genuine curiosity and a willingness to understand the other person’s perspective, which is pretty big of you. It also opens the door for a more productive conversation and can help to ease any tension in the situation. It shows you’re not just interested in being right; you actually want to learn and grow. You’d be willing to change your stance of the argument was convincing enough, so let them give it their best shot.
7. “I respect your opinion, but it doesn’t change mine.”
This is a variation on #3 — you’re recognizing that the other person has every right to feel the way they do and you’re not going to try to talk them out of it. However, they need to approach the situation with the same attitude and lay off trying to talk you round to their way of thinking.
8. “I’d prefer not to discuss this right now.”
Source: Unsplash Sometimes you really just can’t be bothered having a deep and meaningful about an issue that you either don’t care about or that’s too complicated and overwhelming to face. Obviously, you can’t avoid big conversations forever, but if you really aren’t in the right headspace for a serious discussion, be upfront and honest about that.
9. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you with that.”
Source: Unsplash As much as you want to be helpful, some things are just not your job. Not only that, but there are some times when you just don’t have the mental or emotional bandwidth — or the interest! — to solve other people’s problems for them. If that’s the case, tell them flat-out. This way, they can find someone else to lend a hand sooner rather than later.
10. “I’m not sure, but I’ll look into it.”
Source: Unsplash If you legitimately don’t know something, this is a really proactive way of admitting it. You don’t fake knowledge you don’t have, but you also show that you’re not willing to remain ignorant. Instead, you’re going to do your due diligence and find out the answer to their question. You may find that it still doesn’t change your views on a given topic/situation, but at least you can make an informed opinion.
11. “I’m still learning and figuring things out.”
Source: Unsplash Again, you’re acknowledging here that you don’t know everything and that you’re a work in progress, which we all are. Of course, just because you’re not an expert on a certain topic doesn’t mean you have to blindly follow someone else’s lead on it. Do your own research and then cement your opinions.
12. “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.”
Source: Unsplash Everyone has setbacks and failures at some point or another — that’s part of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to always be a little bit better than you were the day before. However, don’t let people use that against you. Stand your ground by making it clear that you’re well aware of all the achievements you already have under your belt and that you’re proud of them. Your self-worth isn’t going to be affected by a few small bumps in the road.
13. “I believe in myself and my abilities.”
Source: Brooke Cagle/Unsplash You can’t expect other people to have confidence in you if you don’t have it in yourself. Saying this shows that your self-belief is rock solid and that you’re fully aware of what you bring to the table. What more can anyone ask for?
