How To Win Arguments Without Losing Friends 

As much as we hate arguments, they are an unavoidable part of life and may even be necessary to strengthen and make our relationships more worthwhile. This means you can use arguments in your favour as long as you do it right. 

Stay Calm 

Our inherent nature as humans is to react to something. However, this only escalates the problem. In times when we’re criticised, we often want to respond with the same energy. It is important to remember to be calm and to respond rather than react. You might feel compelled to become defensive and counter every criticism that comes your way. Instead of doing this, maintain your composure so that you analyse the situation properly and increase the chances of coming to a resolution. This can be achieved by being more mindful: taking in a few deep breaths, observing things like facial expressions, voice inflection, and body movements. 

Don’t Lay Blames 

If you fall into the trap of blaming your opponent, then you will destroy any chances of solving the conflict. It’s best to first accept that there may be some truth in what the other person is saying and openly acknowledge it. If you indeed find that your opponent is making wrong judgments about you, take a step back and consider your position, because their acts and words have no power over you. You’re only attempting to persuade them to see things your way.

When engaging in an argument, it is important to make sure that the facts are consistent with your beliefs. For example, if you think someone is spreading rumours about you, the best step would be to do your investigation. If you find out that this is actually not true, the best step would be to apologise and express your regret for making these accusations. 

Agree To Disagree

You and your friend have opposing viewpoints on the subject and this has resulted in the argument. You must appreciate the other person’s viewpoint. If you still can’t come to an agreement after much discussion, it’s a good idea to admit that you agree to disagree.