99. Ending the Never-Ending Discussion

When I teach my conflict class, I am frequently asked: “When you have a difference of opinion with someone, how do you stop the endless, exasperating, back-and-forth exchange of positions?”

This situation often occurs when one person is trying to persuade the other of his or her viewpoint.

There isn’t one perfect way to get out of this type of conversation, but outlined below are various options to try. Some of them contain comments that you can adapt to your situation. I have collected these examples over the last couple of years from listening to public figures and from conversations with participants in my seminars:

1. Broaden the scope of the discussion. TODAY Show anchor Matt Lauer did this successfully ...

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