The great debate: how to argue like a pro
Did you ever join the debating team in school or university? If not, you might have missed out on one of the most valuable skill-building experiences there is.
But fear not – the beauty of debating is that it's a skill you can learn and continue to build throughout your life.
Debating isn't just about arguing. It's about making a case, thinking critically, and understanding different perspectives - precisely the kind of human skills that can offer your career a real edge.
So why does debating matter, and how you can use it to your advantage? Let’s dive in:
What is debating?
At its core, debating is a structured argument. Two sides are randomly assigned a topic – say, abolishing student debt – and must argue for, or against it. Each side presents their case, counters their opponent's points, and an impartial adjudicator decides the winner based on the strength of their argument.
It's a brilliant mental workout. But beyond the competition, the skills you gain from debating are incredibly valuable in everyday work and life.
The benefits of debating in work and life
Debating sharpens a range of skills that can set you apart in your career. Take a look:
Clear communication:
Debating forces you to make your points sharp, relevant, and easy to understand – in other words, to communicate with impact. This is an invaluable skill in any workplace.
As Debating SA, South Australia's leading debating organisation, puts it: "If we can speak publicly and convey our ideas and thoughts coherently, we have a valuable tool that can aid us in our public, private and future lives."
Confidence in public speaking:
The more you debate, the more comfortable you become speaking in front of others. Being able to articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly and persuasively is a major career advantage.
Logical thinking:
Debating trains you to build well-structured arguments based on facts rather than emotion or opinion. This skill goes a long way to help you with problem-solving and decision-making.
Creativity:
Debating isn’t just about logic, it also encourages lateral thinking. Sometimes, you'll be assigned an unusual topic that forces you to come up with fresh, unexpected arguments – great practice for tackling challenges in new ways.
Thinking on your feet:
In limited-prep debates, you don't get much time to plan. You have to think fast and make a strong case, just like in a high-pressure meeting or negotiation.
Self-confidence:
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson once said debating was "the one activity that best prepared me for future success in law and in life."
"I learned how to reason and how to write…and I gained the self-confidence that can sometimes be quite difficult for women and minorities to learn at an early age."
Empathy & open-mindedness:
Debating is not just about winning or losing. It's about understanding and appreciating different viewpoints and fostering empathy and open-mindedness – which are amongst the top soft skills employers are looking for.
Debaters often have to argue for positions they personally disagree with.
For example, they may argue for pro-life when they personally believe in pro-choice. This forces them to consider different viewpoints deeply. The best debaters don't just tear down an argument; they prepare both sides thoroughly, looking for all the possible angles their opponents may take and acknowledging its merits before strategically dismantling it.
Therefore, although debating is combative, it teaches how to think with deep consideration and compassion.
As Bo Seo, two-time world debating champion and author of The Art of Disagreeing Well, put it:
"The art of debating taught me to see another view – it's a skill that brings people together."
Let your arguments take flight
Two people who knew how to debate well were Orville and Wilbur Wright, inventors of the aeroplane. At an early age, their father encouraged the Wright brothers to debate.
"He would sit them down at the dinner table, give them a topic, instruct one of the boys to take one side of it and the other to take the other side. Then after 20 minutes, he would make them swap sides and make the other argument," UK author Ian Leslie told the ABC.
This trained the inventors to look at problems and ideas creatively, and get to new ideas fast by arguing it through. Some argue this is the reason why they were able to succeed where many others failed – in the skies.
Putting debate to work
Debating skills aren’t only for formal debates. You can apply them to your everyday work, offering you a competitive advantage and boosting your confidence.
Know your own mind – Identify the logic and reasoning behind your opinions. Is your point of view based on solid logic, or just gut feelings?
State your case clearly – Structure your arguments with clear reasoning and supporting evidence.
Don't make it personal – Don't let people feel like they, not their ideas, are personally under attack. Stay away from questions like "How could you believe that?" or "Why can't you see?" and instead ask questions like "What has led you to that conclusion?"
Remove the ego from the debate: The best debates aim for the right answer, not personal victory. Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs famously said, "We do not hire smart people so we can tell them what to do. We hire smart people so they can tell us what to do."
Argue to understand – Instead of simply countering opposing views, engage with them to find common ground. Arguing to understand means listening with an open mind. The focus isn’t on winning.
Be willing to be wrong – True growth comes from recognising when a better argument has been made. Even Jobs changed his mind about launching iTunes on Windows, a decision that helped make Apple the giant success it is today. Rather than setting out to prove he was right, Steve Jobs debating skills to collaborate and get to the right answer.
Know when not to debate – It's not always appropriate to debate publicly. Some discussions, especially those involving personal feedback, are best handled privately. Pick your moments carefully.
It's never too late to debate
Debating isn't just for students. The ability to articulate ideas, critically analyse arguments, and engage in constructive disagreement is crucial in any career. But beyond that, debating can also foster personal growth, helping you build confidence, empathy, and open-mindedness.
Why not start now? Whether in meetings, negotiations, or everyday conversations, mastering the art of debate can help you communicate better, think creatively, and succeed in a world cluttered with content.
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