What are the best strategies to find common ground with someone who has different opinions?

1 Listen actively

One of the most important skills to find common ground with someone who has different opinions is active listening. Active listening means paying attention to what the other person is saying, without interrupting, judging, or dismissing their views. It also means showing interest, asking questions, and paraphrasing what you heard to check for understanding. By listening actively, you can show respect, empathy, and curiosity, and you can also identify the main points, values, and emotions behind their opinions.

2 Find similarities

Another strategy to find common ground with someone who has different opinions is to look for similarities, rather than focusing on differences. You can do this by finding out more about the other person's background, experiences, goals, and interests, and seeing how they relate to yours. You can also acknowledge the areas where you agree, or where you share a common problem or challenge. By finding similarities, you can create a sense of connection, rapport, and commonality, and you can also reduce the likelihood of stereotyping, blaming, or demonizing the other person.

3 Use "I" statements

A third strategy to find common ground with someone who has different opinions is to use "I" statements, rather than "you" statements. "I" statements are expressions that start with "I", and describe how you feel, think, or perceive a situation, without accusing, criticizing, or attacking the other person. For example, instead of saying "You are wrong", you can say "I disagree", or instead of saying "You are being unreasonable", you can say "I feel frustrated". By using "I" statements, you can communicate your opinions clearly, respectfully, and assertively, and you can also avoid escalating the conflict or putting the other person on the defensive.

4 Seek to understand, not to persuade

A fourth strategy to find common ground with someone who has different opinions is to seek to understand, not to persuade. This means that you are not trying to change the other person's mind, or to prove that you are right and they are wrong. Rather, you are trying to understand their point of view, their reasons, and their feelings, and to appreciate their diversity and uniqueness. By seeking to understand, not to persuade, you can avoid arguments, debates, or power struggles, and you can also learn something new, or gain a different perspective.

5 Compromise or agree to disagree

A fifth strategy to find common ground with someone who has different opinions is to compromise or agree to disagree. Compromise means that you are willing to make some concessions, or to meet the other person halfway, in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution. Agree to disagree means that you are willing to accept that you have different opinions, and that you respect the other person's right to have them, even if you do not share them. By compromising or agreeing to disagree, you can show flexibility, cooperation, and tolerance, and you can also preserve the relationship and avoid further conflict.

6 Apply these strategies in your administrative role

As an administrative assistant, you can apply various strategies to find common ground with someone who has different opinions in various situations, such as working with a boss, colleague, or client with different expectations; participating in a team project or meeting where you have to share ideas, give feedback, or make decisions with others who have different opinions; and dealing with a complaint, problem, or disagreement with a customer, supplier, or stakeholder who has different needs. Utilizing these strategies can help you communicate effectively, build trust, and achieve your goals while also respecting and appreciating the diversity of opinions that exist in your workplace.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?