Disagree Without Being Disagreeable
A married couple was celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. At the party everybody wanted to know how they managed to stay married so long in this day and age.
The husband responded, “When we were first married we came to an agreement. I would make all the major decisions and my wife would make all the minor decisions. And in 60 years of marriage we have never needed to make a major decision.”
What is more important to you - that a decision is right or the decision is yours? Even during moments when disagreement could be justified, many times we focus too much on whose decision it should be instead of focusing on the right decision.
If you have learned how to disagree without being disagreeable, then you have discovered the secret of getting along - whether it be business, family relations, or life itself. - Bernard Meltzer