Some people might tell you that the only way to manage a work disagreement is to straighten things out right away. But that isn’t always true. Sometimes, your best option is to do nothing — let the comment go or simply walk away. Doing nothing isn’t a cop-out. In fact, we do it all the time without even realizing it. It’s a smart choice if you don’t have the energy to invest in preparing for or having a difficult conversation, or if you suspect the other person might be unwilling to have a constructive discussion. Letting the issue go will keep the relationship stable. But this approach won’t work if you stew about the disagreement, making you more likely to have an outburst later, or if you start to act passive-aggressively toward your counterpart. Only do nothing if you can put the conflict behind you.
Adapted from the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, by Amy Gallo
