Investigation: Countering Arguments

This chapter deals with effective ways of countering arguments to a leader’s proposals. Countering the ideas of others is important when they can potentially derail a leader’s direction. Effectively opposing the arguments of others is the classic skill of good debaters. To be influential at countering the ideas of others, leaders have to be self-assured and base their rebuttal on clear and calm reasoning. Coupled with a strong and assured opposing argument, the leader ought to be tactful with a degree of sensitivity for the other person’s position; a delicate and crucial balancing act. To effectively contest the ideas of others, leaders practice three skills. These abilities are anticipating (wherever possible) the probable objections, a willingness to play “devil’s advocate”, and testing emphatically the opposing arguments and assumptions. We look at these three tools in more detail.