What will you do when you are under pressure? Will you choke, flinch or flex your muscles and bare your fangs? You are never too young or too old to learn debating skills that will propel you forward in the marketplace. And, buttress you in times of personal and professional distress. When down and out, it beats nothing like hearing that inner voice telling you, “you got this!” In spite of all of the arguments that you don’t have what it takes, you hear a voice inside your head listing all of the reasons why you do.
Steps used to exercise basic debate skills make the difference to a gainful remote job
As we’ll see during tonight’s debate, it might be a good idea to learn debating skills. Even competitors seeking the highest levels of society must show that they are skilled in presenting and exchanging views. Further, expertise in presenting your viewpoint (the reasons why you should hire me for a remote internship, for instance) can be the difference between employment and unemployment.
Formal and informal debates may involve these processes:
- Speaker 1 presents one reason (backed by facts, data and research) for support of an issue.
- Speaker 2 actively listens and then summarizes or restates Speaker 1’s reason.
- Speaker 2 then gives one reason or several for opposing the statement (based upon facts, data and research) of Speaker 1.
- Speaker 1 actively listens and summarizes Speaker 2’s reasoning and states his/her disagreement or agreement and give reasons why (backed by facts, data and research).
- The cycle continues.
This cycle is what one would expect to see and hear during a political debate. The acumen of the moderator, however, can determine whether the lively discussion revealed policy differences, resolved conflict. Or, most importantly, changed the audience member viewpoints on key issues.
On a national scale, voters are pretty excited about upcoming political debates. Often pundits review debate performance 24/7 long after the debate session as aired on national television, cable channels and broadcast on social media.
Nation’s interest in debating ebbs and flows with the times
But has our interest in public discourse ebbed with the changing times? The 3NR, a blog chronicling the activities of high school debate clubs found, “participation in policy debate has declined significantly from 2020 to 2021.” Even more pronounced the organization reports that the data show, a decline “even more significant from 2019 to 2021.”
Equally troubling is that the data is backed by on-the-ground observations of participants noticing, “tournament fields have been noticeably smaller and fewer schools have been actively competing.”
Keen interest in debating dropped due to polarization of opinions
It could be that no one wants to debate anymore because individual and specific group perspectives are so polarized now days. To avoid conflict, chaos, confusion the breakage of relational bonds, thoughtful discourse is discouraged. Matthew Mongiello, assistant professor of political science at McDaniel College has the opinion, “we have a lot of difficulty conducting civilized debate.”
Taking a philosophical view, the Imaginative Conservative discussed the importance of argumentation; as a pillar of civilization, in fact. In order for a civilized society to continue to develop, “civil discourse must flourish.”
The same argumentation can be applied to an individual in search of gainful employment. It is painful to see in some communities, people with such apathy that they don’t have any fight left. No reserve energy to advocate for themselves. Particularly in a job market that is intensely competitive and rewards Übermenschen.
Specific skills of persuasion effective during remote job search and job interviews
If we were to go back to the debate processes discussed earlier and transpose nouns and verbs related to the job search and interviewing process, we shall see the very same approach.
- Jobseeker Speaker 1 presents one several point of reference reason (backed by facts, data and research) for receiving a job offer support of an issue.
- Interviewer Speaker 2 actively listens and then summarizes or restates Jobseeker Speaker 1’s reason.
- Interviewer Speaker 2 then gives one reason or several for opposing the statement not hiring the Jobseeker (based upon facts, data and research) of Speaker 1.
- Jobseeker Speaker 1 actively listens and summarizes Interviewer Speaker 2‘s reasoning and states his/her disagreement or agreement and gives reasons why (backed by facts, data and research).
If the jobseeker is skilled holds the requisite job skills, is calm in his approach and effective in convincing the prospective employer that he is the best person to fill the role. He should receive a job offer, if all other variables are equal.
College students say diplomatic argumentation helpful preparation for real world
As you can see, skills in shrewd, diplomatic and friendly argumentation are essential skills when attempting to secure a job. They are also vital in the job marketplace when you are gainfully employed. Graduates of the California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly) seem to think so. Alumni regarded job skills (research, analysis and disputation competencies) gained when participating in intercollegiate debate activities “helped them prepare for life after college.”
5 benefits debating competencies bring to the remote job interview
Further, research presented in Science Direct, does support many of notions held by proponents of debate clubs and others. Practicing one’s debating skills does indeed enhance:
- Critical thinking skills,
- Communication abilities,
- Teamwork competencies, and
- Self-directed learning.
But does the research demonstrate? The Stanford National Forensic Institute (SNFI) operated by the Stanford Debate Society at Stanford University cited initiatives by the College Board (creators of the SAT) to incorporate “the sorts of skills debate teaches.”
11 real world skills that are practiced and applied during presentations of opinions
Specifically,
- Preparing and presenting a critical response to a specific argument,”
- Presenting valid viewpoints based upon analysis and not mere opinion,
- Responding quickly (in real time),
- Stating one’s viewpoint, calmly and free of emotion,
- Advocating in support of one’s viewpoint while refraining from making personal attacking at the opposing presenter, and
- Applying critical thinking skills at a moment’s notice.
Getting back to college entrance exams, research has shown participants in debate clubs attain ACT scores higher than non-participating students.
About 10 years ago, near the height of debate club popularity an article appearing in Forbes suggested that employers should emphasize the hiring of those skilled in debate to lead the company. And putting them on the fast track to success. Why? Because of their communication, debate and presentation skills.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in more recent times identified the critical need for workers to possess the skills used to excel in public discourse. Here are the reasons why:
- To discern fact presented from fact checkers as well as those sources generally known to present fiction (fake news),
- How to identify and use critical information to make major life and career decisions,
- To present a credible stance, it is important to base one’s viewpoint on research beyond “Google” searches,
- To withstand public criticism of one’s viewpoint with aplomb.
- To seek out credible sources of information.
You may say that former debate club members, alumni, teachers and professors of debate activities will hold just one view. That debating is an important skill to have. To participate in debate activities are essential to success.
Developing debate and public speaking skills changes the trajectory of low performers
An up-to-date 2023 Forbes article emphasizes the ways in which debate skills are associated with improved critical thinking skills. Even among students who were previously “low achieving” underperformers.
Low achieving students may hold similar behavioral characteristics and challenges as job seekers who have grown apathetic about their job prospects and the future trajectory of their lives. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates as many as 60% of unemployed Americans are no longer looking for work.
Somewhere, at some point in time, the despondent may have taken rejection personally, internalized the negative thoughts of others, or just lacked a strong social network to convince them otherwise, that temporary setbacks happens to the best of us. One can only imagine had these individuals, equipped with and regularly applying self advocacy skills learned in healthy debate, would their prognosis differ?
Advocates of the most vulnerable use public discourse to garner support
Perhaps so. Human rights advocates effectively apply skills in healthy discourse to support society’s most vulnerable. The Human Rights Handbook developed by the University of Minnesota, Human Rights Center devoted a section on debating skills for use during negotiations. Advocates for human rights were trained during a three day workshop for applying debating skills for conveying positions on controversial issues.
Conclusion
So, as you watch the verbal exchange of information, policy viewpoints and stances, think of how you might use debate skills to start your career, further your personal and professional goals and to make your voice heard.
