What do you do if your boss in a digital learning job disagrees with your approach?

I’m such a big fan of ‘the listen.’ But to listen, you’ve got to elicit. So ask: “Tell me more.” “What experience with this approach do you have that I need to know.” Then listen. Ask follow up questions. Ask for their input on benefits and findings you have. Then listen some more. It’s fully incredible how much a truely active ‘listen’ will afford your manager, and how they might really reconsider your next proposal or even the one they kicked their heels up over.

You need to listen to both what your boss says as well as between the lines. Is the push back related to a fear of the instruction not working? Is it a lack of trust of the team? Is it a control issue? Is it legitimate? and your idea is not good? You need to listen between the words and be open minded. Is your boss tuned into something "political" in the organization that is causing the push back?

Open and transparent communication is key, so I would offer to discuss alternative solutions or modifications that address my boss's concerns while still achieving the desired outcomes. Ultimately, I would prioritize collaboration and finding common ground to ensure the project moves forward effectively while maintaining a positive working relationship with my boss.

Productive discord can ultimately lead to much better outcomes when each party feels valued and understood. In many of my past roles, overcoming these conflicts typically also leads to stronger working relationships.

You have to make your case convincingly. Your boss can't read your mind, and vice versa, so you have to be clear in what you see as the "win" in the scenario you envision. It's the only way to know if you're on the same page, and — if you're not — to get there.

I once worked with a project lead who would insist things be done a certain way (the way it had always been done). Finally after about the third project, I asked them if they trusted my skills and expertise enough to try a small innovation. I assured them if it wasn’t well received, we would revert back to the former approach. When the project was met with nothing but highly favorable feedback, they were forever converted! This earned their trust and was the start of a longstanding bond in our future working relationship.

"Let's put our heads together on this" is a useful phrase I've put into practice many times. It offers some ownership of the final approach to your colleagues ( which helps encourage buy-in down the line) as well as giving you the opportunity to benefit from different points of view.

It can be very hard to step back from a task or project that is "yours" and let someone else's ideas influence how it develops, whether it's a matter of true collaboration or simply of considering suggestions. Don't let your pride interfere with doing good work. When I worked in news (in the early days of the continuous news cycle) we'd always have a colleague backread and offer input before hitting "publish." The times we didn't we usually regretted it. In the longer-form projects I do now, we can take the time to digest and really understand the feedback we receive from colleagues and clients. Sometimes accepting those notes can save the day.

After you make your case, you might be required to do work that goes against your better judgment. So, remember in these moments to protect your peace. If that means accepting a directive from someone in a higher role, in spite of the evidence you have laid out, it’s okay in a non-life/death situation. After all, you’re still getting paid the same at the end of the day. Sometimes people have to experience the negative outcome of their decisions to best understand the direction you initially provided. Other times, they might even be right after all. Either way, protect your peace above everything else, so that you can manage your emotional well being positively.