Welcome to WendyLadd

I am on a wonderful magnificent journey right now, learning lesson upon lesson, and wanted to share this one with you….

How to keep a disagreement from becoming an argument:

1. Welcome the disagreement: Remember the slogan, “When two partners always agree, one of them is not necessary.” if there is some point you have not thought about, be thankful if it is brought to your attention. Perhaps this disagreement is your opportunity to be corrected before you make a serious mistake.

2. Distrust your first instinctive impression: Our first natural reaction in a disagreeable situation is to be defensive. Be careful. Keep calm and watch out for your first reaction. It may be you at your worst, not your best.

3. Control your temper: Remember, you can measure the size of a person by what makes him or her angry.

4. Look for areas of agreement: When you have heard your opponents out, dwell first on the points and areas on which you agree.

5. Be honest: Look for areas where you can admit error and say so. Apologize for your mistakes. It will help disarm your opponents and reduce defensiveness.

6. Promise to think over your opponents ideas and study them carefully: And mean it. Your opponents may be right. It is a lot easier at this stage to agree to think about their points than to move rapidly ahead and find yourself in a position where your opponents can say: “We tried to tell you, but you wouldn’t listen.”

7. Thank your opponents sincerely for their interest: Anyone who takes the time to disagree with you is interested in the same things you are. Think of themm as people who really want to help you, and you may turn your opponents into friends.

8. Postpone action to give both sides time to think through the problem: Suggest that a new meeting be held later that day or the next day, when all the facts may be brought to bear. In preparation for this meeting, ask yourself some hard questions:
Could my opponent be right? Partly right? Is there truth or merit in their position or argument? Is my reaction one that will relieve the problem, or will it just relieve my frustration? Will my reactioon drive my opponents further away or draw them closer to me? Will my reaction elevate the estimation good people have of me? Will I win or lose? What price will I have to pay if I win? If I am quiet about it, will the disagreement blow over? Is this difficult situation an opportunity for me?

POWERFUL!!!! POWERFUL!!!! So many arguments can be avoided from a small disagreement if we only take these steps to ensure peace.

Hope that helps someone today on their journey. Have a fabulous weekend.

Luv Wendy
“Bella”