How To Have An Actually Productive Argument, According To Lawyers

Attorneys share their tips for reaching an understanding.

Any argument can get heated, especially during an election cycle. Whether people are dealing with a personal dispute or engaging in a political debate, emotions often run high and impede the ability to make progress or reach an understanding.

“Most arguments are unproductive these days because people are too focused on trying to ‘win’ the argument instead of looking at the bigger picture,” business law attorney Ugo Lord told HuffPost. “Futile arguments can fracture long-term relationships for a short-term win.”

He emphasized that rethinking how we approach arguments can not only improve our relationships but also our professional and personal lives in general.

“Arguing has a negative connotation, but it shouldn’t,” said Marilyn Chinitz, a partner in the matrimonial and family law practice at the law firm Blank Rome. “Arguments are a social process, and everyone should aim to be effective in the art of arguing. It is important to remember that conflict is not always a threat ― and it can often present opportunities to examine how we feel about an issue and clarify our points.”

To help people have more productive arguments, we asked Lord, Chinitz and other attorneys to share their best practices: