This is a tricky situation, as human beings, we tend to react immediately in front of a comment we disagree with. This demands practice, and you will need to be prepared, as you never know when you will be in this spot.
The first step is to “listen and listen”, and demonstrate you are truly paying attention.
Second, watch your body language, as it normally says much more than your own words. Do not roll your eyes or cross your arms in front of you.
Third, after you have listened and paid attention, you will see that you have time to formulate a respectful answer, using some data to show your point of view.
And finally, if you cannot come up with anything different than the feeling of “attack”, say “I will think about it, and come back to you”.
Being professional in a critical discussion is key to demonstrating your maturity and ability to overcome conflict and difficult situations.
By Erika Molina
