It’s not required for you to agree with everyone. How you disagree, engage, and disengage matters more. The value of social media and the internet is the value chain of connected communications. In the past, calling someone long distance was expensive, and depending on where they were, you might need to wait for days to schedule a phone call. Truth! Today we chat, game, and collaborate 24x7 with people across time zones. 

We’re often anonymous; for some reason, people drop any façade of common decency or sense. They feel it’s ok to respond disrespectfully because they disagree and are behind a keyboard. Opposing gracefully will likely earn you their respect.

Before getting into an exchange with someone, practice active listening. Beyond hearing the words, active listening means trying to parse the underlying meaning, emotions, and body language. That doesn’t work well over the internet, so another tact is to pause and ask clarifying questions. This shows that you are genuinely interested in what the other person is trying to relay. Go slow when you can. Sometimes I am guilty of unpacking many points, emotions, and questions at length. Earn the right to tell your point of view or story.

Ensure you have a common vocabulary and common grounds for a discussion. If you start with different meanings of words or phrases (“Class of Service”), you’ll never agree on whom they are used. 

Be passionate in your response but don't reply out of anger or with hostile intent unless you are trying to start a fight. Entering a disagreement with an open mind is crucial for a productive conversation. While standing firm in your beliefs is essential, being open to new ideas and perspectives can help you grow and learn. You may not change your mind, but you might gain valuable insights and understanding from the other person's point of view.

And know when not to say anything. If you are replying just to set someone off, consider the consequences. It might feel good, but you’ve set the tone for every future conversation.