The Challenge Interrupt

Description

Interrupt a person by challenging what they have said. Tell them they are wrong, that they have inaccurate data, or that their reasoning is faulty.

You can do this politely, almost apologetically, or more assertively. If you want to take a dominant position you could even use sarcasm or aggression, although beware of reactive effects from this.

Discussion

To be directly challenged when you are making a statement you believe to be true can be very unsettling. It disrupts your thinking and can result in an unwise reactive response.

Challenging creates uncertainty and may be seen as attack that threatens the sense of control and identity, forcing the person to defend themself. This can descend into emotional and angry argument where logic takes a back seat. Challenging is consequently very disruptive.

Challenging in a public forum is often a power move, where the challenger is sending a dominant message to observers as well as to the other person.

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The Challenge Interrupt

Description

Example

Discussion

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Site Menu

Quick links

Disciplines

Techniques

Principles

Explanations

Theories

And