Rules of Engagement - [Important]

[arpowers]

To the movement,
(please bump)

I think it is important to address how we should approach argumentation and objections to RP's policies, when engaging new prospects...

I take these lessons from Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Persuade People", which is based on Abe Lincoln's (among others) amazing way of dealing with people.


"Avoid arguments." - they can not be won... people have to convince themselves.
"Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never tell someone they are wrong." Telling someone they are wrong creates an argument and a stubborn conversation.
"If you're wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically." Don't be stubborn like some presidents you might know...
"Begin in a friendly way." Make people want to agree with you.
"Start with questions the other person will answer yes to." The infamous socratic method.
"Let the other person do the talking." As above, they have to convince themselves.
"Let the other person feel the idea is his/hers." Again, as above...
"Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view." Sympathy, makes people want to agree.
"Sympathize with the other person."...
"Appeal to noble motives."
"Dramatize your ideas." Together we will change the world etc....



Feel free to add...
Andrew

[dircha]

Great advice about arguing. If you go into an argument thinking the objective is to get the other person to cry uncle, you're going about it all wrong! And depending on the person and your relationship, the more you argue, the less likely they will be to come around.