When an Argument Gets Too Heated, Here’s What to Say

Although productive conflict is a hallmark of high-performing teams, many teams struggle to communicate dissenting opinions without triggering resistance and defensiveness. They fall into unproductive conflict by invalidating one another as they argue.

When you’re in the middle of conflict, how you can validate the person you’re trying to discredit is probably the last thing you’re thinking about. You’re not modeling openness and curiosity; you’re retrenching and focused on proving that you’re right.

So what should you do? Read more...