Having Meaningful Conversations Without Debate: Learning to Listen and Ask Questions
It can be difficult to move beyond the idea that conversations are a competition between two people. High school debate teams often focus on combative debates, where the goal is to win and convince an audience, not necessarily the other side. While debating can have its advantages, it’s important for people to learn how to engage in meaningful conversations without resorting to argumentation or debate tactics. When engaging in conversation, it’s important to remember that listening is more important than talking. Instead of formulating a response while the other person is speaking, take note of their words and internalize them before responding. This will help you understand their perspective better and make for more interesting conversations with them. Asking clarifying questions can also help you get a better understanding of what they mean by something they said before you respond or refute any points they made.