How to Argue Effectively (Without Raising Your Voice)
We’ve all been there before. You’re in the middle of a heated argument with your significant other, your boss, or your friend. And things are not going well. The argument volume keeps getting louder until someone finally yells, “I’m done!” But is yelling really the best way to handle a disagreement?
Here are four tips for arguing effectively without raising your voice:
1. Keep calm and avoid using harsh words
In the heat of the moment, it can be tempting to say something you’ll regret later. If you feel angry, take a deep breath and count to 10. This will help you avoid saying something you’ll regret later and make it easier to listen to what the other person has to say.
2. Listen to understand, not to respond
We often get so wrapped up in our own point of view that we don’t really listen to what the other person is saying. The next time you’re in an argument, try to really listen to what the other person is saying and why they feel that way. You may be surprised that you agree with them on some points!
3. Avoid making assumptions
It’s easy to jump to conclusions when we’re in the middle of an argument. But this can often make the situation worse by causing us to react based on assumptions instead of facts. So, before you say anything, make sure you have all the facts straight.
4. Be willing to compromise
No one likes feeling like they’re not being heard or their opinion doesn’t matter. For an argument to be effective, both parties need to be willing to compromise and meet in the middle. Otherwise, it’s just a shouting match! Arguing can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be shouty and unpleasant. By following these four tips—keeping calm, listening carefully, avoiding assumptions, and being willing to compromise—you can argue effectively and maybe even come out of it with a better understanding of the other person’s point of view!
