Disagreeing with a co-worker can be a tough situation, especially if your point of view is 180 degrees from theirs. However, even more problematic is when the co-worker you disagree with is your boss. Could this situation get worse? Oh yes, what happens when you disagree with your boss when you’re talking to your client? This is a very delicate predicament that must be handled with care.

The key thing to remember when disagreeing with any co-worker in front of your client is to be tactful. This is especially true when that co-worker happens to be your boss. You don’t want to accomplish any of the following in this situation:

1. Embarrass yourself or your boss
2. Make your client feel awkward
3. Project an image that your company (your group specifically) doesn’t know what they are doing
4. Give your client the wrong information
5. Get your boss or your client angry

Does the above list seem long? It is, but it’s long for the following reason: When it comes down to it, your client pays your salary. They give your company the work that employs you, and you need them to continue to do so. All of the items in that list in some way, shape, or form can jeopardize the relationship your client has with your company. This is why it is so important to be very careful when dealing with them.

Don’t worry, it may seem a bit daunting to avoid all of the pitfalls above, but it can be done. I’ve put together the following three key points to remember when this kind of situation arises, and I think if you keep these in the back of your head you’ll be able to avoid all of pitfalls in that list.

• Make sure it’s absolutely necessary - This is the best piece of advice I can give you. Any kind of arguing (even level-headed arguing) should be avoided in front of your clients. Unless point four above is in danger of happening (giving your client bad information), I would wait until you can talk privately to argue your point of view.

• Have solid reasoning for your argument - This holds true for pretty much all arguments, but it’s especially important here. If you are going to go so far as to argue in front of your client, you better have a good reason that you can backup with solid facts. Otherwise, points one through three above are guaranteed to occur, and four and five might not be far behind.

• Don’t get angry - Above all, don’t ever get angry. As with all discussions, be level-headed and logical when you speak. Anger will get you nowhere, and will make most people just tune you out even if you are right. Keep yourself calm and under control at all times. At best if this happens, your client will just feel awkward and move on. At worst, all of the above points could happen.

Here’s a simple thing to keep in mind: Any consequences you can think of that could happen when you argue with your boss are magnified 10 times when your client is around. Don’t be scared to speak up and make your point of view known, as it is absolutely necessary sometimes. However, just make sure you go about it the right way.