14.02.23 Today’s Insights from Inc. Magazine – The Benefits of ATL (“Arguing to Learn”)
Dear Students,
When caught up in a heated argument, how many of us have ever sought to learn, rather than to win (if we are truly honest with ourselves?) The contingent of admirable individuals who can say “yes” is probably even smaller among our international friends From the East, given that they are aspiring professionals like us, who have been raised to avoid arguments at all costs.
Although not widely practiced, there’s a name for this technique.
When “Arguing to Learn,” (ATL), according to the writer of this article, we are quite simply seeking to better understand the nuances of an issue and the various ways it can be viewed. By contrast, when “Arguing to Win” (ATW), we assume there is only one “objective” source of truth, and, in the process, we may actually lose track of not only nuances but even facts, while seeking only to defend our position at all costs. (It’s pretty easy to guess which approach is more productive.)
As any aspiring professional might expect, entering into an argument – admittedly without prior planning (!) – with a generally “cooperative” mindset makes the interaction less contentious and more likely to yield a mutually-acceptable conclusion. Ambitious international students and others like you and your peers, who are open to various “truths,” have been shown to fixate less on “one single source of truth” and thus to be more flexible to finding creative, mutually-acceptable solutions.
Essentially, as Professor Matthew Fisher, who developed this concept, puts it, “it would be more beneficial for all those involved in such discussions if you subtly hint that you’re not here to “win” anything, but simply to understand and learn as much about the issue as possible. Doing so may help in getting your opponent to adopt an arguing-to-learn mindset [as well], to make them less of an objectivist, and so more willing to hear other opinions on the matter.” (underlining by the authors).
Given that arguments do happen, our coaches would like to help ambitious international students like you to approach them collaboratively and inclusively, considering them as an opportunity to learn (rather than as something to run from or to stubbornly defend yourself during, to avoid being labeled as “wrong”)
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And how can that be accomplished? Through using the very same techniques that our coaches use every day – by asking you self-reflective questions.