Today’s political and social environments have many people on edge. There are a lot of misunderstandings, strong emotions and differing opinions that can quickly lead to the escalation of an argument. The problem is that a disagreement in opinions shouldn’t lead to the downfall of work and life relationships that have been built over years.
If you’re wanting to maintain healthy and strong relationships, the way to do it is not to argue but instead to teach. Rather than seeking to be right, seek to do what’s right. Be willing to put your ego to the side and create an outcome that serves a greater good.
The remainder of this article will explore a few ideas that can help you redirect a potentially heated argument. Here we go.
Remain Self-aware.
If you allow it, your emotions of the moment well very quickly take over. Although rather than acting from your instincts, it’s much better to act from your values.
If you begin to feel that you’re experiencing anger or emotion spikes, try to regain your self-awareness and realize that having an argument isn’t the result you want.
Create Trust.
People want to be heard and know they can voice their opinion without consequence. So, it’s important to give them a chance. Try to hear them out and find a point in the topic you can both agree upon.
If you can give them a chance now, it will do wonders for the relationship going forward.
Keep it Respectful.
Some people’s opinions may just be wrong or not worth listening to. Although having an argument or trying to force your point probably isn’t going to change their mind.
When a conversation begins heading in the wrong direction, try to bring it back to something respectful with statements like, “I respect that we have our difference, but I don’t want to carry on this conversation anymore. We’ll leave it there.”
After you each walk away, it will give time for people to realize that perhaps they were wrong or that you will simply have to accept your differences.