Debates

Happy Friday!

I welcome you to this edition of "Debates" (#229).

This week, the airwaves are filled with discussions and opinions on the first political debate of the presidential candidates for this election season. So, I tried to learn a little bit more about its origins. It’s fascinating to learn that this tradition started way back in the 19th century in the US between Lincoln and Douglas, and the ritual continues to date. Granted, it has changed in so many ways, but the essence remains, and here is how I perceive it:

The arc of the presidential debate often reveals a candidate's ability to communicate effectively under pressure and explain their policies to the public.?

Articulate – The fundamental principle behind this platform is to give the candidates an opportunity to showcase their viewpoint to the public in an effective, efficient way; artfully.?

Respond – There is almost always a contradicting viewpoint that candidates have on any given topic. This platform forces them to confront each other in front of the whole nation standing next to each other respectfully.

Convince – Ultimately, it’s the public at large who get to decide whom to choose. All that candidates should attempt through this platform is to convince the public that they are the ones who can deliver on their promise charmingly.

Workplaces also have their share of politics as well and I believe we could all apply a similar strategy to handle our differences with a healthy dialogue and debate.

Articulate – In your daily interactions, it's important to articulate your ideas and thoughts effectively. Clearly communicating your goals, tasks, or concerns not only puts you in a favorable light, but also encourages openness and transparency, leading to better collaboration and problem-solving within teams.

Respond – A healthy workplace regards differences as a breeding ground for creativity and solution-building, rather than dismissing them. Having respectful dialogues, directly confronting these disagreements, and empathetically understanding different perspectives can vastly improve the overall work climate.

Convince – Ultimately, in the grand narrative of your workspace, you are playing a role and contributing towards a shared vision. Be it pitching a revolutionary idea, negotiating with stakeholders, or motivating your team for a challenging task, your ability to convincingly communicate your thoughts is crucial.

Showcase your passion, display your competence, back your proposals with solid reasoning, and charm your audience with your belief in the collective success of your team. Remember, healthy debates and open dialogues are the backbone of any successful enterprise.

Notwithstanding how news outlets and media depict the outcomes, there are no winners or losers in a debate. It’s just a matter of how effective you are in presenting your case. Let me close with this quote by Margaret Heffernan, “For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate.”

I invite you to share your ideas on Debates.?

Thank you and have a great weekend.?