Manage Smarter 273 — How to Disagree Respectfully with Justin Jones-Fosu

HOSTED BY C. LEE SMITH AND AUDREY STRONG
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Justin Jones-​Fosu is the founder and CEO of Work Meaningful, a company dedicated to helping organizations create cultures of belonging and inclusion. With a passion for meaningful work and human connection, Justin delivers 50 to 60 talks annually, sharing insights on leadership, diversity, and effective communication. 

He is also an accomplished author, having written the book 'I Respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World,' which serves as a guide for navigating challenging conversations both in the workplace and personal life. Justin's approach emphasizes the importance of empathy, understanding, and respect, encouraging leaders to foster environments where diverse perspectives are valued and explored.

In this podcast for sales managers and executive leadership, Audrey Strong, C. Lee Smith and Justin Jones-​Fosu help you to answer:

How can leaders encourage respectful disagreement in the workplace?

Justin James-​Fosu suggests that leaders should communicate that they welcome disagreement, reward it verbally when it occurs, and follow up on it to show its value. This approach helps create a culture where employees feel safe to express differing opinions, fostering innovation and creativity.

How should one handle a conversation that turns disrespectful? 

Justin James-​Fosu advises using a phrase like, 'I would love to continue this conversation, but I want to ensure that I am respectful. Can we come back to it another day?' This approach helps to de-​escalate the situation and sets the stage for a more productive discussion later.

What is the importance of apologizing in leadership? 

Justin James-​Fosu emphasizes that leaders should apologize when they have disrespected someone, as it demonstrates vulnerability and humility. A sincere apology can build relational capital and improve trust within the team.

What is the Power of 3 technique?

The 'Power of 3' is a technique Justin James-​Fosu recommends for cultivating curiosity and understanding in conversations. It involves listening to at least three levels of a conversation by asking follow-​up questions like 'Tell me more,' which helps to deepen understanding and avoid jumping to conclusions.

What is an Out the Door policy?

Justin James-​Fosu recommends Implementing an 'out the door' policy instead of an open door policy. This enables managers to Intentionally engage with your team to hear their stories and build empathy.

"Agree to respect, not just to disagree. Choose to humanize the person, even if they don't respect you back."

Justin Jones-​Fosu

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