I have no time for your opinions

Question: My new boss is initiating a change in the software we use for email, calendar, project flow etc. which will affect everyone in our team. My old boss gave me the job of researching this same issue before he took off for greener pastures. Yesterday my new boss called a meeting to inform us of his decision about the new software. Based on my research I think he’s missing some important facts and rushing into the decision, but when I tried to raise this he said “I have no time for your opinions right now, we just need to move forward.” That shut me down at the time, but I still want to say something to him about it…

Answer: I want you to have the opportunity to raise your concerns, so the next thing I’m going to say may seem counter-intuitive. Have you stopped to wonder what he’s “up to.” I don’t mean analysis of his psychology, nor am I assuming he has sneaky, ulterior motives. I just mean, what’s motivating him to speak, and to speak like that.

In this case I’d say your boss feels pressure to get “up to speed,” and is looking for an easy decision making process, and for support. You may guess some different motivations, but either way, just giving attention to this question is likely to help you move past any “enemy image” thoughts you’re having about him (”control freak,” “jerk” etc.).

Meanwhile I’m guessing you want some respect for the expertise you’ve developed through your research, and I bet you also want to make sure the software chosen is of maximum benefit to you and your co-workers.

OK, so now how do you speak up in a way that aims at a satisfactory outcome for you both?

“Boss I really want to support you in reaching a quick decision, and at the same time I’m seriously concerned that the solution you proposed will not best serve team efficiency, and will actually cause a lot of headaches for us all. I’m nervous about speaking up but if I ignore my opinion on this I think I’ll regret it. Is there any time today when you could give me 10 minutes to lay out my concerns to you?”

This will take under 30 seconds to say and makes reference both to your own needs and to needs that you guess he has. And if he says, once again, that he has “No time for your opinions” ….

“I’m speaking up in the hopes of avoiding a situation where your time, and mine, will get more crunched as a result of software that’s not best suited to our needs. Is there anything I could do today that would support you in sparing ten minutes to hear my concerns.”
However it goes, after this conversation be ready to take a walk around the block with a co-worker or on the phone to a friend - choose someone who can hear you without taking sides. It takes courage to speak up and you may need to calm the adrenalin afterwards.