You're at a networking lunch with a potential business partner. How do you navigate conflicting opinions?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with expressing a contrary opinion, as long as it is presented in a respectful manner. Leaders often suffer from too many people wanting to please. It is always refreshing to hear a challenge or a counter.

Understanding where the other person is coming from is the best lesson we can have. Is it from facts? Their Belief system? Deep rooted values? It may even sway YOUR opinion! If the opinions are vastly different it could also be a sign to not partner with them. And we do need to remember that the other person is probably thinking the same thing (that we have different opinion’s). You need to decide with your gut if the common goal of partnering will still be a good fit with your different opinions. Some people have different opinions constantly, but they could also be the best partners ever because you make each other see things in a different way. 😁

Active listening is a critical component of effective communication. Abrupt opinions is on other hand detrimental to a networking session. Mindful listening to a person's opinion till the end is key to identifying potential synergies and common grounds to work collectively towards a common goal.

Respect will be number one here. As long as everyone is being respectful then the conversation so be completely fine. Listen in and see their point of view. If you feel like it and if it is constructive, provide your own opinion on the matter. If not, then just don't say anything. Be real and be smart about the conversation and your purpose there.

"That's an interesting point" is basic and super effective. Maybe you have a different way of acknowledging differences and use whatever suits you and the situation. Don't just blow off their point-of-view because it differs.

Share your view only if it makes sense to share. Some people will always speak their mind and give their opinion, and that's fine because that's their way. I just strongly believe in the old phrase that "there's a time and place for everything". Share you view respectfully or just move on without doing so.

1. Start by listening to what the other person is saying- really understand what’s being said, then just the words that are being used. 2. Don’t assume intention. 3. Fight the urge to have the last say. 4. Acknowledge what is being said, before making a contrarian point. 5. Find common ground and acknowledge it. 6. Agree to disagree and acknowledge that it is diversity of thought which makes for better business. After all it is a networking event, not a debate. 7. If the difference of opinion pertains to value, you would have learnt something about the business partner and whether he/she should be a business partner.

Networking is about getting personal, at some stage. Recommendation is to do necessary research first with peers, on social media or available resources on history and likes of the target person. Then there is certainly plenty to talk about, still in an authentic way and creating real joy of exchange. But real relationships, like in personal life take time and require a fair bit of chemistry too.

We have more in common than we do differences, it's just our human nature (or society nature) to focus on differences. If you're able to find common ground then that will be very beneficial when there is a disagreement. It's a networking event and not a debate, so take it lightly if you can and focus on your objective there.