How to Craft Compelling Arguments Like a Pro

Welcome to Love Mondays More the weekly LinkedIn newsletter that delves deeper into the ideas and concepts driving my Love Mondays email newsletter series .

Why ‘Love Mondays’? Mondays are often the low part of the week, earning the title of “worst day of the week” by the Guinness World Records. So I aim to provide a 4-minute caffeine hit of content to fire up the other 10,076 minutes of your week and stave off the Monday malaise. Don’t just live Mondays, love Mondays!

A few weeks ago (though it feels like a lifetime ago given how much has happened in four weeks!), we watched the debate between Donald Trump and President Joe Biden… or at least saw the highlights (lowlights?) on social media and the news. It’s fair to say it wasn’t the epitome of an oral argument!?

Both candidates struggled to articulate their visions, address each other’s viewpoints, and even answer the questions being asked.

Whether you’re talking about storytelling, negotiation or painting a compelling vision, communication is inextricably fused with leadership. In today’s world, where we’re leading diverse teams through unprecedented uncertainty, the ability to navigate debates and disagreements is more crucial than ever.

It also sets the tone for our entire organisation: as role models for our teams, our approach to conflict resolution can either build a culture of respect and innovation or one of discord and inefficiency.

We can’t leave this to chance—we need to design for it by establishing rules of engagement and showing that disagreements can be handled with grace, respect, and, yes, even a bit of humour.

Debate Like a Leader

Bo Seo is a two-time world champion debater and has coached both the Australian national debating team and the Harvard College Debating Union. I've not only devoured Bo’s insightful book, Good Arguments but also had the pleasure of working with him to bring the art of argument to life in a corporate team-building session.?

One of my first lessons from Bo was reframing what arguments are in the first place: “good arguments are not about winning but about understanding and being understood.” It’s about building bridges, not walls.

There’s a particular quote from Bo that resonates deeply with me and is useful for leaders (and presidential candidates!) to remember:?

“An argument is not a list or a slogan or a pep talk or an honest expression of your feelings. It is not whatever vaguely supports your point of view. An argument is a conclusion about the way things are, or ought to be, that is justified by a main claim and a set of supporting reasons and evidence.” - Bo Seo

Bo Seo lays out a clear framework for crafting compelling arguments, focusing on these essential elements:

1. What’s the point? Every strong argument starts with a clear, concise main claim. What’s the core message you want your audience to grasp?
2. Why is it true? Stating your point is just the beginning. Back it up with solid reasoning and evidence. This not only enhances your credibility but also makes your argument more persuasive.
3. When has it happened before? Use historical examples or personal experiences to reinforce your argument. This demonstrates that your claims have practical, real-world relevance, not just theoretical validity.
4. Who cares? Always think about your audience. Why should they care about your argument? How does it affect them or align with their interests?

If you reflect on a recent debate or discussion you’ve been part of and hold it up under this light, how did the way you made your case stack up? How did the other sides? Perhaps this framework could serve as a useful ‘template’ to bring into your organisation to help ensure you’re having good arguments as opposed to just arguments.?

1. Be more strategic: in setting ground rules for discussions. Establish clear guidelines to foster respectful and productive debates.? I’ve shared some practical tips on this in today’s Love Mondays here .
2. Be more open: to differing viewpoints. Treat debates as golden opportunities for learning and growth, rather than conflicts to steer clear of. Embracing diverse perspectives can spark innovation and deepen your understanding of complex issues.
3. Be more proactive: in creating a culture of constructive debate. By encouraging a culture where thoughtful arguments are welcomed, you pave the way for innovation and collaboration to thrive.
4. Be more focused: on outcomes. Shift your mindset from “I need to win this argument” to “How can we find the best solution together?” This approach not only enhances team dynamics but also drives better results.