Get Others to Pay More Attention to You With a Little “soft Conflict”
Conflict and tension are not necessarily bad for your personal and professional relationships. They can really help strengthen bonds and make others really listen to you.
Inc. writes that instead of always agreeing with someone, express disagreement to spice up a boring conversation and strengthen the bond with the other person. Slightly conflicting or strained puts the other person on alert and can make them pay more attention to you:
First, disagreeing with a person’s opinion actually creates some common ground. Instead of humming endlessly about the weather or children, two people can find something to resist. This does not mean that you should start berating each other about your views on same-sex marriage, but disagreement on one topic or another is a welcome relief. Just make sure you pass it on with a smile.
Second, the most authoritative and influential people are rarely challenged. They are often surrounded by “agreeable” people who are afraid to disagree due to fear, job loss, or exclusion from the inner circle. Therefore, when they meet someone who knows how to speak honestly and express an opinion different from theirs or others, but at the same time retaining a certain amount of respect, it is again a welcome relief and refreshment.
This doesn’t mean you should start arguing with everyone you meet, especially if you really disagree or don’t care about the topic. However, a little conflict can be welcomed in a conversation.
The Secret (And So Easy) Way To Get People’s Attention To You | Inc.