I thought this might come in useful to those just beginning to take on the opposition.
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Twelve Ways to Voice Opposition to Daft Ideas Without Losing Friends or Alienating People, by Joanna Gray.
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How to get better at objecting to unedifying ideas
Ask the person suggesting an obviously daft idea if he or she would mind if you shared your opinion about it, rather than foisting it on him or her uninvited.
Respect others’ intentions. Most people are good and are trying their best, so avoid a heavy-handed aggressive disapproval.
Ask questions: “That’s such an interesting idea Chancellor, what are you hoping to achieve by it?” Often, that is sufficient: if the idea is flawed it will unravel itself in no time.
Remember your Aristotle: to win debates you need ethos, logos and pathos. Ethos is your good character and your authority to speak on the subject – most crudely used by those who say “as a mother…”. Logos is the truth of the matter. Pathos is your ability to persuade your opponent. Emotion alone is insufficient to win the point, it must be backed up by truth, but an ability to connect with and respect the emotion of your opponent is vital.
Remember you are debating the idea not the person. Don’t make him or her feel threatened, belittled or ill-informed.
Just try it! You don’t need to present a fully formed Douglas Murray-style-gotcha speech, initially it might just be sufficient to say, “I’m not yet sure why, but this idea is making me feel uncomfortable, may I have a think about it and get back to you?” If social or career disaster doesn’t follow, then you may feel emboldened to make a more spirited and researched objection later.
Be prepared to flatter. “You will know more about this than me but have you thought about…”
Listen to your opponent. Don’t stand there rolling your eyes, tutting or guffawing,
Remain calm and never shout.
Be prepared to use their own language. “Chancellor, this act of removing artworks of men might be considered by some to sit adjacent to sexism…”
Be satisfied with having planted a seed of doubt in those who listen to you, rather than furiously fighting for decisive victory.
Remind yourself why making a stand is important: “If not me, who? If not now, when?”