The life of Mahatma Gandhi is full of stories and anecdotes about confrontations that end up contributing great doses of wisdom. In fact, this man achieved fame and went down in history for being the first to raise a "war" without violence.
It is said, for example, that he once sat down to eat next to a professor at the University of London. The teacher asked him to withdraw because "birds and pigs can not eat together". Gandhi got up and said, "Do not worry, Professor, I'll fly away."
Gandhi almost always got his way in the discussions. But he did so with such intelligence and grace that he finally brought something to his opponent. Rather than winning the discussion, it was to reveal an apprenticeship drawn from the situation. So, if you think so, let's detail your suggestions to succeed in an argument.
Do not be selfish and argue in a solid way
For Gandhi any perspective of a problem must also cover the condition of the opponent. With this idea clear, he destroyed the monopoly of the English textile industry and then appeared in each of the factories to apologize for the layoffs he had occasioned.
It was also characterized by a thorough study of each topic. He was not content with having a superficial view of the world. He read, he delved, he consulted. All this enabled him to form an informed and solid opinion on any matter. That is certainly a key to any debate.
Train physical strength and patience
I thought that the strength of the body contributes decisively to the strength of the mind. Gandhi was characterized by maintaining a good physical form, which allowed him to cope with hard times with an amazing recovery capacity. The training of the body contributes temperance, strengthening of the will and self-control.
Patience, on the other hand, is the training of the mind. Gandhi said that a wall must be built brick by brick. And that each piece has its own moment to settle there. Patience is a feature of the strongest minds. Not yielding to the first impulse is key to success, especially in a confrontation.
Empathize with the other, get involved with your emotions
Gandhi proclaimed ideas that were universal in scope. Its principles were not the product of a localist or capricious vision. Quite the opposite. In his ideas and his struggle, all humanity was present. His doctrine focused first on his own people, but it was inspired by universal values.
This leader gave an important place to the emotions. His speech was not purely ideological. He tried to understand the position of his opponents and he considered what they could feel. That is why hundreds of thousands of people in the world followed and admired him, even if they did not share his cause. Winning a confrontation does not necessarily mean annihilating the other.
Speak in simple language and be transparent
Simplicity in his speech is something that characterizes great leaders. They do not speak to be admired, they speak to be understood. And the best way to foster understanding is to use simple language that anyone can understand.
This would be populism if behind it there were hidden interests. But if simple words do not hide hidden truths, they reach people's hearts. An authentic and genuine speech has a great power of conviction. And it also carries respect. A verbal argument is gained like this: with deep arguments, said simply and without lies.
Grow self-reliant and persevere
Gandhi insisted on obtaining his own salt. In making their own garments and other objects of daily use. He made self-reliance a way of building freedom. He knew that the bonds of dependence are not born in the great facts, but in the small details. And he attacked root disease.
This great leader took 55 years to complete the independence of India, which was his great dream. He did it in his own way: without resorting to violence. He went through thousands of difficulties before he achieved it. Difficulties of all kinds, even conflicts with himself. Deep down he knew that perseverance is a key that ends up opening any door and that the ability to persist allows for progress towards triumph.
All the teachings of Gandhi leave us a precious catalog of human values. His triumph was a triumph of the spirit and therefore marked a before and after. The greatest of all his precepts was to confront, without the aim of destroying the other. In this way there is never defeat, since it is a safe way for everyone to win, even if it is not everything they would like.