How many times have you heard from your manager that your integrity and honest opinion would be much appreciated? Probably many. But has it ever made you suspicious?
Especially, in the situations when your opinion apparently does not completely alight with the one of your management. Shouldn’t you be careful when you speak your mind? You’d better be so. Of course, it is not that you should never trust your manager. Sometimes your expert advice and clear point of view may help a great deal. But there are circumstances when you’d better off holding back, if you are not sure. Don’t assume at once that your manager necessarily wants your help. She/he might just want to understand who you are and what you’re up to. Don’t delude yourself with the idea that managers tolerate any critics from you, even if they say so.
Managers are people with a certain degree of vanity. Otherwise, they would not have become managers. Hearing critique from anyone especially from their subordinates might be quite unpleasant, to say the least. Why then would they ask their subordinates to be honest with them? It’s easy. They just want to know whom they deal with, and how trustworthy their colleagues/subordinates are. One day they may have to make quite unpopular decisions that may cause a negative feedback from your fellow employees. And in these situations they must know if they can rely on your understanding and support or not.
We are not suggesting that you lie to your manager all the time, but for your own safety, know exactly what is behind this interest in your opinion.
Even if you have to disagree with your manager, try to substantiate your ideas with most powerful arguments you can find so that she/he would not take it personally, but see your professional approach and most importantly willingness to help. Just remember, the managers are looking for someone they could trust. It won’t happen if you never speak up, as having your own opinion is one of the criteria of competence and professionalism. Nor will it happen if you and your manager totally have no ground for agreement.