8 Tips To Win Any Discussion
In order to win a discussion, it is important to empathize with the other person’s situation and be empathetic. If you understand the other person’s point of view, it is much easier to find a constructive solution.
With this advice you will decide any discussion for you. Nobody likes disputes, but they are an almost inevitable reality in any interpersonal relationship.
In some cases they are of great importance and can be constructive. Because it is often better to share your point of view and communicate it properly instead of suppressing it. In this article, we’re going to give you some helpful tips to win any discussion .
How to win a discussion
Primarily, it’s not a good thing to fight aggressively. This only has negative consequences and one often acts very emotionally instead of discussing something more relaxed and reflective.
It is always better to try to have a calm discussion. The reality, however, is that many people do not know how to act if they do not feel understood or taken seriously.
It is important to deal with such emotionally charged situations with disagreements by withdrawing for a moment and letting the storm pass, so that you can argue a little more calmly afterwards.
1. Act civilized
Never forget that arguments are often very emotional and take us by surprise in those moments when we cannot think properly. Keeping calm is one of the most important tools for winning a discussion.
It’s important to be open-minded and give up selfish drives. In this way you can learn to think in a reflective and rational way and not let yourself be guided by emotions.
Being civilized also means respecting the other person’s opinion and always letting it be spoken (in whatever tone). Your own setting does not necessarily have to be changed.
2. Be informed
One of the best ways to constructively win an argument is to be prepared and informed. So you have the facts and rational viewpoints on your side and appear much more intelligent. This can impress and even convince the party in the dispute.
Perhaps the opponent brings up arguments based on misinformation or false foundations. When he hears the facts you put on the table, he has no choice but to agree with your informed opinion.
It’s not about the argument, but about using tools and information to make your point of view known to the other party.
3. Avoid getting personal
Often discussions can be traced back to situations that were not your fault. For example, if your boss is in a bad mood because he lost a customer and you have to pay for it. In this case, you should speak to your boss clearly and make him aware that you are not his outlet.
If you take a discussion too personally or attack your opponent on a personal level, you are unfair and lose. Why? Because feelings will most likely get out of hand and you will no longer see things clearly.
4. Don’t try to win
One of the best ways to win a discussion is not to want to win! This may sound confusing, but it isn’t.
If you have the “fight to the bitter end” attitude in an argument, the other person’s attitude will be the same and an uncomfortable argument will ensue. In the end, both of them are annoyed and frustrated. The discussion is pointless instead of being constructive.
However, if you show interest in the opinion of the other person, you can exchange ideas and maybe even come to an agreement. You get what you want sooner.
5. What does my counterpart really want
Put yourself in the other person’s shoes is never a bad idea.
Changing your perspective can be of great help in getting a discussion going without necessarily having to accept everything the other person is saying. But you can understand your interlocutor in this way.
It is important to part with the struggle and focus on a solution in order to constructively close the discussion.
6. Don’t get distracted
Focus on expressing your opinion and beliefs without losing sight of your goal. Don’t let the topic distract you.
Often you get lost on the actual topic because you remember other things that actually have nothing to do with the current conversation. If so, try to get back to the main topic. It is important to recognize old but relevant differences of opinion and to resolve them once and for all.
7. Asking open-ended questions
This technique can also be very useful for gaining a discussion, as everyone involved can ponder a solution.
Instead of asking accusing questions or personal demands, you can stay neutral without hurting anyone. For example: How can we improve our finances? What do you think of the two vacation destinations we picked? How can we prevent customers from choosing our competition?
8. Control your emotions
This is also extremely important, because all too often feelings predominate in discussions. It is difficult to control emotions, especially on sensitive or delicate subjects. But it’s not impossible.
How can we avoid being guided by it? Stay calm, take a deep breath, if necessary, take a short break, leave the room and take a walk through the park to regain your senses. As you do this, think productively about the discussion.
Remember that crying out is neither a strength nor a weakness to cry. Staying calm and being in control of your thoughts and emotions is key.
In practice, these techniques require awareness, focus, and attention. But they are worth it!
