10 SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MESSAGE
Wh y w e sh ou ldn't st op ar gu in g As a profession, we often beat ourselves up for arguing. Whether it's over which technique is king, which evidence is more relevant, what philosophical approach or professional direction of travel is more relevant, chiropractors throughout their history have never been shrinking violets when it comes to forcefully expressing their viewpoints. At times, disagreements have broken out into open warfare and hostilities have persisted for decades, frequently without any meaningful resolution. We are the masters of the art of altercation. Arguing can be exhausting. Constant bickering and ad hominem sniping drain our personal fuel tank and can seriously impact our mental and physical well-being and our sense of calm. Does this mean that as professionals we should stop arguing? Should we put an end to those energized, animated and emotional arguments that have characterized our existence from our inception?
problem-solving is a matter for debate. Often, the use of logic and evidence gets lost amidst our desire to win at all costs, look good or save face. We need to do better, but this doesn't mean we stop arguing - we just need to get better at it and remember that, ultimately, we're all on the same team. Forget the view that arguments must be about proving you're right or looking better than your opponent and instead concentrate on finding better solutions together. To do this, we must use cognitive diversity and set proper ground rules; identify a shared goal, emphasize that we're all in it together, and approach debate with a healthy spirit of inquiry. Being adversarial from the outset is a recipe for disaster. Forget the 'winning and losing' mentality and replace it with victory for the team. Dismantle the hierarchy so that all voices are heard. Focus on the facts, avoid logical fallacies and question distracting irrelevance. And, perhaps most importantly, don't make it
I would argue that we shouldn't; however, we need to mature and ensure that we teach ourselves to argue in a healthy way. We need to appreciate, respect and value cognitive diversity. When everyone shares their views and expertise, we win. Many of us, myself included, get incredibly frustrated when, after having sought opinions, we are faced with a wall of silence. Research tells us that romantic relationships often break down not because of blazing rows, but because communication ceases. 'Not talking' is a frequent predictor of imminent demise. Of course, vigorous disagreements and diversity of thought can leave us squirming. Polite, obsequious conversations may be far more more comfortable; however, whether they lead to the same degree of innovation and
Richard Brown, WFC Secretary-General