People frequently enter conflicts focused on making their point as convincing as possible. Neither person is interested in hearing the other person’s side, so the end result is that both arguments fall on deaf ears.
If you want someone to lower their defenses, try stating their case so clearly that they say, “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”
Here’s why it works:
💡 People drop their defenses when they hear something they agree with.
💡 The act of listening builds reciprocity, which makes them more likely to listen to your point of view.
💡 It builds credibility.
Listening isn’t just polite. It’s strategic.
This approach doesn’t guarantee agreement, but it shifts the conversation from a battle to a dialogue.
How do you get people to listen?
References: Rapoport A. Fights, Games, and Debates. University of Michigan Press; 1960.
Listen To Persuade
