OPINION: So you've been asked to do something you heartily disagree with. You know it's not going to work because you have the expertise the big guys don't. How do you get your point across without ruining your prospects?

One of my personal mottos is: Never keep your mouth shut if you don't like it. Like the box on the floor that gathers dust, you will eventually become so heated that everything breaks down. Clear the dust and make yourself heard!

So how do you speak out without unplugging the connections?

For a start, have a good think about the request--perhaps it just needs a little tweaking to become a great plan?

Here are some other tips for getting your point across, without burning your bridges:

• Keep your cool: If I've learnt anything from working it's that nothing damages your credibility faster than losing it. Always keep in mind that your customer is your employer and he or she pays you to do what they ask of you, not just for your expertise.

• Offer alternatives: Write what you think, don't just say it. This shows senior management that you have thought your ideas through. Prepare a brief report weighing up the pros and cons, which will clearly demonstrate why the idea won't work. People can often be more honest about a plan they may have come up with if they can re-think all aspects of it in private.

• Look at the dollar signs: Directors always like to hear how something will save money--get some figures together to show the financials of what you disagree with. Show them that you do understand business, which is why you are against a particular project.

• Be open-minded: Never have the attitude that the people making the final decisions are stupid. They didn't get to sit in front of that big table by being stupid, and nor did you. Not seeing something the way you do does not denote a lack of intelligence. So make sure you are communicating your thoughts to your management clearly.

• Be prepared to accept defeat, graciously: Always remember that, despite your reservations, it's not your money (usually) and that your job as an employee is to do what is asked of you. Always make sure it's noted that you are not responsible for making the decision and that you disagree with it--failing that is the only thing that may be career suicide.

  Olivia Dale is a system administrator at Accident & Health International Underwriting.
  

  Copyright © 2009 CBS Interactive, a CBS Company. All Rights Reserved.
  ZDNET is a registered service mark of CBS Interactive. ZDNET Logo is a service mark of CBS Interactive.