Let's Argue Constructively

Richard Heyduck wrote a post to his Bandits No More blog about being Tired of the negative news and press that we are all so bombarded with daily. He also included the following:

In this light, I believe that talking people down - especially people at the top - beyond being disrespectful, is counter-productive. It hurts me and innocent bystanders as much as hit hurts my target. Most assuredly it guarantees that the person I’m talking down will never listen to me. And I want people to listen to me. While I don’t want to talk people down, I do think it is good to argue with them. Can you imagine that - Arguing in love! I take that as a variant of “Speak the truth in love.”

This reminded me a book study I participated in the other day. The individual leading the discussion mentioned that when he had been in business (20 years in the oil industry), he had frequently been involved in meetings that became day-long arguments. Being the oil industry, these sometimes devolved to the point of profanity.

However, at the end of the day, the meeting participants always left with handshakes, pats on the back, and regular social activities outside of work.

I think that this is a noble goal for us all. Let's argue, not necessarily argue more, but argue better. Argue constructively. If you and I don't like each other's ideas, let's tear them both to shreds. Maybe then we can weave the shreds of both ideas into one, better idea.

But let's leave personal issues aside. Let's not engage in personal insults or derogatory comments. Most importantly, let's try to argue so that at the end of the day we can still look each other in the eye with respect, and maybe even become better friends than we currently are.

And I hope that we can have this happen not only in our personal lives, but in the public as well. If we don't like ideas that politicians or business leaders are proposing, that is fine. But don't put down the people. Just discuss the ideas. Encourage people to work together for a better solution. Forget what state you are from, what color your skin may be, what your level of education is, or which side of the political spectrum you consider yourself.

Maybe then we can find a way to improve our situation, instead of just blaming it on someone else.

In God's Love,
JAy.