How to Argue with Anyone

Description

Do you always know the perfect thing to say . . . after you’ve lost an argument?

Think people who win arguments are just loud? Some of them are, but there’s a whole lot more to the art of argument than that.

Yes, argument is an art. If you’ve never looked at it that way, consider that argument has a long and proud history stretching back to the Classical period and across the major civilizations of the ancient world.

Then, giants like Socrates and Sun Tzu would face off against their opponents using logic, reason, and their great oratory skill to carry the day.

While we still have many skilled at argument today, it seems as though most public debate has descended into shouting and emotional baiting, without attempting to understand the other side’s point of view.

You may even avoid arguments in your personal life because this is how you perceive them. But did you know that people who are skilled at bringing others over to their point of view enjoy advantages that most people don’t?

A Harvard study shows that highly successful people argue differently. In a 2023 interview with CNBC, Matthew Fisher, one of the study’s authors, said these people “argue to learn” and not “argue to win”.

The difference meant that they were better listeners and were not convinced in the rightness of their opinion, which means they were more flexible.

“Arguing to learn” was also more likely to shift the other person’s perspective than trying to convince them that they were wrong.

Think about every time you had an argument with your spouse or children. Or a disagreement at work where you needed to convince a colleague or boss.

Wouldn’t this ability be useful to have in those situations?

This book will not only teach you how to see your opponent’s side–here are just more of the other things you’ll discover:

• How you can cultivate these 6 qualities that the best arguers throughout history had
• What an ‘argument’ is, what it’s not, and the 8 different kinds you can use
• When’s the best time to argue? Recognizing the signs that you’re about to get into one
• Is this argument worth my time? Run through this checklist before getting into one
• Why it’s not always about the argument. 9 things that block others from hearing what you’re saying
• How does understanding your adversary make you a stronger arguer
• How to tip the argument in your favor with these techniques drawn from the legacies of Churchill and Cicero
• The 4 deadly sins in arguments with loved ones, including this one that could damage your relationships
• And much, much more!

Have you ever felt unseen or unheard at work because of your reluctance to take a position on an issue? Perhaps you wanted to avoid ill feelings or embarrassment.

The fact remains that those who are able to successfully argue their views are better poised for career success.

Think of how much more harmonious your home life would be if you could get your point across to your family without the noise. Think of this book as your ticket to all that and more.

The easy-to-follow chapters and action steps make it even easier to remember what you’ve learned.