Stop Trying to Win

Photo by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash

Do we argue to “win” or to “learn”?

The goal should be to arrive at a mutual understanding of what’s “best” — with both parties willing to concede.

I’m often surprised how easy it is to get entrenched when someone presents a viewpoint that counters your belief system (I’m guilty of this, for sure)

The dialogue is almost doomed from the start — each individual feels obligated to “defend” their viewpoint. This is especially bad on social media. Assumptions are made. Emotions run high. Nothing gets resolved.

Argument, debate — these are important aspects of a healthy democracy

However, they only work by putting our emotions aside and stop viewing each other as enemies on a battlefield — but as brothers and sisters, instead.