real_talk — Speak English for real

Remi

Refining suggestions, acknowledging others, gently disagreeing, building on others' ideas, and postponing discussions are flexible meeting expressions.

→ / ←

I'd like to suggest that we push the deadline.

I want to propose postponing the deadline.

From my perspective, it's too risky.

From my perspective, it's too risky.

I see your point, but the timeline is tight.

I understand what you mean, but the schedule is tight.

Acknowledging the other person's point first (I see your point) sounds much more professional and less aggressive before disagreeing.

Could we maybe consider another option?

Could we consider other options?

Just to build on that, we could test it first.

Additionally, we can test it first.

Let's circle back to this later.

Let's talk about this again later.

'Circle back' is a business idiom meaning 'let's move on for now and revisit this later.'

Today's rule

1
When disagreeing, say 'I see your point, but...
2
' — first acknowledge the other person and then add your opinion with 'but.
3
' It sounds much more professional than just saying 'No' or 'I disagree.
4
'

Key words

perspective — Perspective, viewpoint
timeline — Schedule, progress plan
option — Options
deadline — Deadline
tight — Tight

Expressing opinions in a meeting (intermediate)