business1_2016_sm

Purchase the original | Purchase a print

Argument

People often say they don’t want to argue, right? For example, they may say this, “Arguing has never changed anyone’s mind.”

However, the truth is that in business, politics, science, religion, even art, ideas move forward and action is taken based on arguments made, arguments replied to, arguments won or lost.  Continued progress over any substantial amount of time isn’t made without argument.

Persuasion

Of course, there are many ways to argue.  Yelling, screaming, ranting, raving, and bullying are some of the ways. And those who make the comment above about arguing never changing someone’s mind usually have that sort of arguing in mind when they say that.

But those are not the only forms of argument.  Debate and Persuasion are two methods that usually are more effective.  Debate is about logic and reason, persuasion is about self-interest.  In debating you are trying to convince someone that your ideas are right. In persuading you are trying to convince someone it is in their best interests to believe and/or act on something.

Best For Business

In business all these types of argument are used. But from my experience inside and outside of business there is no comparison, the most effective method is persuasion. That is because it is the most long lasting. You have converted someone to your way of thinking because you have actually made it their way of thinking as well.  And when that happens, a vision for a business can grow naturally within an organization.

 


Drawing and commentary © 2016 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com

Quote by John H. Patterson