Strategic silence alone is not strategy. It's never wise to go into a fight you can't win and obvious to go into one you know you'll win, but the Grey area is the question. Try to minimize the Grey area, be informed, try to be able to step back and see the larger picture. Oftentimes the single point someone wants to make has some merit but doesn't justify their stance in the big picture. Stay civil even when they don't, most will start to feel guilty if you politely make a point or two they can't deny after they've already been insulting. If they are insulting 3 or 4 times then dish some back just so the very stupid don't equate that with winning. Never insult them twice as much as they did you, that will just make them double down on their position. If they have a single point and you can devastate it with a single point do so, but stop right there or try to build a little common ground.
Great advice. I will keep this as a reference for the future.
This was really good, Melissa. Thank you!
Excellent article,
Strategic silence alone is not strategy. It's never wise to go into a fight you can't win and obvious to go into one you know you'll win, but the Grey area is the question. Try to minimize the Grey area, be informed, try to be able to step back and see the larger picture. Oftentimes the single point someone wants to make has some merit but doesn't justify their stance in the big picture. Stay civil even when they don't, most will start to feel guilty if you politely make a point or two they can't deny after they've already been insulting. If they are insulting 3 or 4 times then dish some back just so the very stupid don't equate that with winning. Never insult them twice as much as they did you, that will just make them double down on their position. If they have a single point and you can devastate it with a single point do so, but stop right there or try to build a little common ground.