Can a non-confrontational person move ahead?

Are you the non-confrontational type? I agree though. My husband is the non-confrontational type and I think it has always held him back. But it's not so much the fact that he needs to be confrontational to get what he wants, it's more or less he does not stand up for himself and allows himself to get walked all over. At work he is used because he won't say no to things like working overtime or doing things that aren't required of him. Such things can be good things to an extent.. but not when it's happening repeatedly and you aren't being recognized for what you do.. that's being used.

I honestly do not think that a person has to be confrontational to achieve their goals in life. I think that conflicts or differences can be handled differently. If I have to - and I have done so in the past - when I meet a situation where I have to take a stand then I usually smile and say something like, "Tell me, did you deliberately mean to put me down publicly or was it an accident?' If something lie this is said then it may just take the wind out of their sales. Listening is an art that we should all cultivate. By really listening conflict may be avoided. Happy New Year to you and your family, my friend.

I am the kind of person that is non-confrontational and I think that when I was working at the hospital that was one of the things that led to my downfall in working there because I wouldn't fight for the position that I actually wanted. However, when it comes to my interpersonal relationships, I actually thing that not being a confrontational person has actually been a really good thing because of the fact that my husband and I rarely fight and I don't fight with my friends either so we tend to have a stronger relationship.

Interesting topic and responses! I recently created a web page based on a study by Notre Dame regarding "Nice guys finish last" and results of the study show that we "earn more by being mean in the workplace": http://www.squidoo.com/earn-more-by-being-mean-in-the-workplace The study also says that this holds true for men moreso than for women. For me, I guess I do agree; however, I would like to think it is more about being assertive rather than being mean. And I would like withcy women to climb the corporate ladder as quickly as their male coworkers (mean or not).

One can be confrontational in a loving , subtle way. We call it diplomacy. What is important is that you get to confront the issue so it could be solved or given a compromise, for a project or an issue to be settled. I guess, i fall in the above category.

I would suggest that non-confrontational people are in the majority and many of them will have had successful careers, (myself included). I do not view this personality trait as being a drawback at all, rather the opposite. We don't have to survive on a diet of constant conflict do we? Isn't a harmonious environment far more conducive to personal development?

You are correct that typically the people that move ahead are confrontational. They are often arrogant and egotistical also. So if you are looking for the easy way to get ahead of other people, this is probably it. I also believe that nice people can get ahead also. Their opportunities will come and their advancement will come on a different path. If they are a Christian, then they can be confident that God will open all the necessary doors. It is true, however, that the best definition of success for a Christian is to be in the middle of God's will, whether that is CEO or janitor.

Well you can get into an intellectual career, something that doesn't require the confrontational thing so much.

When I read the headline, my brain did a quick memory search for people with non-confrontational personalities - and the first person I thought of was Neil Armstrong, who is famously non-confrontational and introverted. I think it's safe to say that he did alright for himself. The second name that came to mind was Gandhi, but maybe it's not quite right to call him "non-confrontational" - certainly non-violent but he did put himself in situations where he was facing down authority. I would say there are plenty of non-confrontational people around, it's just that they tend to be less noticed.

It can be harder for a passive person..but there is still hope. I do think there are times when people have to stand their ground if they know they are right though. I am competitive, but not to the point of being willing to hurt people or undermine others to get there. I knew this guy at work once...he was a constant boaster and he would always point out the faults of others to make himself look "better." I couldn't stand that about him but it seemed to be bringing everything in his lap. That made it even worse..until he finally got the job he has been aiming for..then it hit the fan. He was not qualified and couldn't handle it. Apparently he wasn't quite so trained and prepared as he liked to present and one of those people that he had treated like a lesser ended up getting a great chance too...they had to pick up his slack and the boaster was proven for what he really was. That passive guy never had to say a bad thing or challenge the boaster in any way. All he had to do was prove his ability. I can't help but smile when I think of it. I have an interesting story about my own rise in the company too. I have assisted in great changes there and all I had to do was my job and my best. There is of course times when I have to stand my ground..but I am not aggressive doing so..I am just very careful to keep good records and know clearly what is expected of me.

People who avoid conflicts are bottling it all up (like me), and therefore, it affects their performance everywhere. It doesnt stop with that. One fine day, it all comes out..dirty black goo.. So my advise is, speak your mind, at the right time. If it is difficult to express, learn how to say No or Yes.

Anything is possible but if people are too passive, then there are going to be people who will step right on them. Right onto their road right to the top of the mark. There are just going to be a lot of people who might as well be a doormat that some people step on or over on their way to the top. There might be moderate success but the world is a cutthroat place. Of course, that does not mean that a person should be too aggressive either. If you're aggressive, you might get far enough but there is a point where you have to step back. As there are many people that you are not going to win a conflict with, as they are going to be more stubborn than you are. That is just the way things are going to be. However, letting everyone walk on you is not a good idea. There is a happy medium to be observed.

I do think even if a person is non-confrontational s/he wold succeed. I have a friend who's an accountant. He was the type of guy who as much as possible try not to get into an argument with anyone at work. And just do his job - he came to a point where e had to resign from his job because of an evil new boss who always sees wrong in his job. He never gets into such trouble with his former boss. I don't think that him resigning from the company means he was unsuccessful. Coz what he did was put up his own business during those time he was finding a new job. So he established a new business at the same time working again as an Accountant in a good firm.

Confrontation is used for so many things. It is used to address a negative situation; express a negative emotional response; let others see and feel your anger and ventilate your anger openly. It can also be used to change others behavior, change the things that make you angry; help you stand up for your rights if you feel they are being violated; clarify what has happened and why it is upsetting and get corrective action taken or act out hostility on people rather the inanimate objects. Some people just say what ever in their mind when they are really angry. You can confront a person without anger.

there is no such a thing as no conflict so there is no way someone can avoid conflict, never confronts it but conflicts do not have to be dealt with aggressively in fact approaching conflicts that way rarely works because the other person will be aggressive back as they feel attacked/stepped on especially in relationship, work or romantic, and friendship this is often true in business, aggressiveness is sometimes necessary but only to meet deadline, customer expectation and survive competition even in this regard it doesn't always work if your supplier/ employee is unreliable, they will disappoint you regardless competitor often plays dirty to win and the more aggressive you are in keeping up with expectations, so are they with their own lies

I guess the trick is to *appear* non-confrontational. The clever person knows how to manipulate a situation in their favour without looking pushy.

I truly believe you do not have to be confrontational to get ahead in life. It is called diplomacy. A person should be able settle disagreements without reverting to arguing. Kindness is not a weakness, but a true gift of goodness.

definitely not the case. people who are pretty much always successful sport and are always in conflict always confront. but I can tell you that these people do not is Lesotho. and because they find it difficult to stand their ground. I think everything depends on ourselves whether we imma better future, but definitely a cheeky nowadays and people who are in conflict almost always fail. I do not know, some who have been so successful without a conflict, at least in my environment there are none. interesting discussion. nice day!