Respect Differing Opinions, as Long as They are Based in Fact Not Feelings
Growing up, the capstone of every family dinner at my grandparents were the hours of discussion on the issues of the day. I can still remember my uncle’s gusto, my grandfather’s quite reflection and my mother’s certainty. No matter the difference of opinion, any animosity ended with the last cup of coffee.
Now anyone who knows me, understands I Iove to argue - probably a little too much, but I get very annoyed when it is obvious the other person is only listening to themselves or just dismissing another person’s idea with no reasoning. I do my best to always listen to another perspective and give it the benefit of the doubt. Learning the perspective of others is the only way to understand what has gone into shaping that person’s world-view, and once you understand their world-view it becomes much easier to counter their arguments or actually change their mind or develop a compromise.
Although I respect differing opinions, I have a very short tolerance for people who try to defend their perspective only from an emotional appeal. Emotional arguments have their place, but in serious discussions they do little but work people up unnecessarily and can make the conversation toxic.
Growing up, the capstone of every family dinner at my grandparents were the hours of discussion on the issues of the day. I can still remember my uncle’s gusto, my grandfather’s quite reflection and my mother’s certainty. No matter the difference of opinion, any animosity ended with the last cup of coffee.
Now anyone who knows me, understands I Iove to argue - probably a little too much, but I get very annoyed when it is obvious the other person is only listening to themselves or just dismissing another person’s idea with no reasoning. I do my best to always listen to another perspective and give it the benefit of the doubt. Learning the perspective of others is the only way to understand what has gone into shaping that person’s world-view, and once you understand their world-view it becomes much easier to counter their arguments or actually change their mind or develop a compromise.
Although I respect differing opinions, I have a very short tolerance for people who try to defend their perspective only from an emotional appeal. Emotional arguments have their place, but in serious discussions they do little but work people up unnecessarily and can make the conversation toxic.
Never Stop Asking Why
Too many people are afraid asking questions makes them look weak, but in fact not asking the questions that need to be asked makes a person irrelevant quickly. Asking questions is the quickest way to get to the heart of an issue and I will never stop myself from asking a question if it is needed.
Too many people are afraid asking questions makes them look weak, but in fact not asking the questions that need to be asked makes a person irrelevant quickly. Asking questions is the quickest way to get to the heart of an issue and I will never stop myself from asking a question if it is needed.
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