The Art Of Disagreeing Meaningfully

A junior officer reporting to me earned displeaure of my immediate boss who desired my opinion. Boss wanted to Ged rid of him through vigilance angle. I was also not sure whether I enjoy remaining in his good books. But then I do not want to suffer loss of manpower as replacement would take long time in bureaucracy. So I suggested to him it may not be right time to transfer him to another city and also reminded him of his political powerful backing
Which could boomerang on him and me. He was convinced and agreed to my disagreement. As luck would have it, my junior got selected for deputation to outside India and my boss too to the same office in london. Both had to work together in london embassy. The idiom 'kill two birds with one stone ' crossed my mind. I got 'outstanding' in annual appraisal report from that boss and the junior continued to be my colleague even after his return to India after two years from london office. Boss sent greetings on the occasion of my dad's celebration of his completion of 80 years. My then junior presented a beautiful shawl on my dad's Sadhabhishekam celebration.

 

Absolutely. Opinions may differ but relationships should not end....with anyone. In opinions too nothing is right or wrong. Everyone is right in their own way. That should not be the end of relationships or friendship. Respect others views too. "I am always right" is not a proper perception.
Syamala

 

Agreeing to disagree is the very essence of democracy. That is the spirit of debate without which no democracy is possible. But we are living in an age of intolerance. Anybody who raises uncomfortable questions is seen as an enemy to be abused, threatened and bullied. even beaten up and lynched. Day by day this intolerant mindset is increasing. A serious concern for any right thinking person.