Without a doubt, business meetings are essential for discussing ideas, making decisions, and moving projects forward. Nearly all employees must attend business meetings at least once or twice. But, they can be difficult sometimes. It is important that you speak your mind and say how you really feel. In general, expressing agreement or disagreement during these meetings can be a sensitive task. While it’s important to voice your opinions, it’s equally crucial to do so in a manner that is both respectful and professional. This blog will guide you through effective business meeting phrases to help you express your opinions diplomatically, whether you’re in agreement or offering an opposing view. These phrases will be easy to learn and easy to use in your next meeting! Using the right language can make all the difference in maintaining positive relationships and promoting a positive environment.
Agreeing with someone in a business meeting might seem simple, but there is a way to do it professionally that reinforces a feeling of “teamwork” and a positive, open environment. Using the right business meeting phrases can make you come across as thoughtful and sincere, rather than superficial or fake.
✔️ “I completely agree with that point.”
This is a straightforward and direct way to show support for someone’s idea or opinion while reinforcing that you are aligned with the discussion.
✔️ “That’s a great point, and to add to that…”
Agreeing and then adding your own input builds on the conversation, showing you are actively contributing to the idea.
✔️ “I’m on the same page with you here.”
This phrase is more colloquial and can make you sound like a native. This idiom is often used in business meetings to indicate that you share the same perspective as another speaker.
✔️ “I see eye to eye on this.”
Again another idiom used to make you sounds more native but this time it is a slightly more informal phrase. This is a great way to signal that you completely agree and understand the direction of the conversation.
Using these business meeting phrases ensures that your agreement comes across as professional and thoughtful. Top tip: Practice these phrases in the mirror over and over again and try and use them in your next business meeting.
Disagreeing in a business setting can be more challenging, especially when you don’t want to come off as confrontational. It’s important to phrase your disagreement in a way that respects the other person’s point of view while still expressing your own view clearly. Here are a couple of phrases that you can use to disagree with someone in a business meeting (or, in general).
✔️ “I understand your perspective, but I see things differently.”
This phrase acknowledges the other person’s opinion before presenting your own differing view, keeping the tone respectful and balanced.
✔️ “You make a good point, but have we considered…?”
Agreeing with part of someone’s argument before introducing an alternative viewpoint can help soften the disagreement and make it more of an open discussion.
✔️ “I see where you’re coming from, but I think…”This is a more neutral way of expressing that while you understand the other perspective, you have a different view.
✔️ “That’s an interesting point, but here’s another angle we could look at.”This phrase is a little more advanced. It introduces a new idea or counterpoint without directly opposing the other person.
Top Tip: Try and use these phrases with colleagues first and become more confident using them, before you use them with your boss or senior management.
No matter whether you are agreeing or disagreeing, maintaining professionalism is key. Business meetings often involve individuals from different departments, companies, or even countries. Therefore, using respectful and professional language is essential to ensure that the meeting runs smoothly.
Consider the tone in which you deliver your message as well. A polite and measured tone can often be more important than the words you use. Even when you disagree, showing that you are considering all viewpoints will make your contributions seem more collaborative.
Additionally, using business meeting phrases like “Let’s explore this further” or “Could we look at another option?” opens the floor to further discussion without closing off the conversation.
If you’d like to improve your business English skills and learn more business meeting phrases, join our monthly free webinars designed to improve your professional communication significantly. You can also avail of a free English consultation to assess your current language skills and work on bringing your English level up to a “professional” or “native” standard. If you’re aiming to sharpen your language for meetings or presentations, we offer tailored guidance to help you achieve your goals.
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