This unit focuses on mastering the balance between advocating your point of view and inquiring about others' perspectives. Effective dialogue requires seamlessly shifting between these roles to foster mutual understanding and collaboration.

Advocating involves clearly expressing your ideas and opinions. For instance, saying, "I think our new project should prioritize user experience" is an example of advocacy. On the other hand, inquiring means asking questions to explore and understand others' viewpoints, such as, "How do you feel about focusing more on user experience in our next project?". Recognizing when to advocate and when to inquire ensures balanced and productive conversations.

Balancing these two approaches requires deliberate practice and mindfulness. Begin by alternating between presenting your views and asking questions. After advocating for a new idea, you might ask, "What are your thoughts on this proposal?". Using reflective statements is also crucial. For example, "I understand you’re concerned about the cost. My suggestion focuses on long-term savings. What do you think?". Additionally, staying open to feedback by saying, "I believe this is the best strategy, but I'm open to other suggestions. What do you think?", encourages dialogue and shows you’re receptive to others' input.

To develop these skills, practice in low-stakes situations before applying them in high-pressure environments. Gradually, balancing advocacy and inquiry will become more intuitive, leading to conversations where all participants feel respected and understood. These techniques contribute to collaborative decision-making and strengthen relationships.

• Jake: I think we should shift our marketing budget towards social media ads this quarter.
• Natalie: Interesting. What makes you think social media will give us the best return?
• Jake: I've noticed a trend where our competitors are gaining significant traction on those platforms. What are your thoughts on this idea?
• Natalie: I can see the potential, but I'm concerned about the budget constraints. How do you suggest we manage that?
• Jake: Good point. We could reallocate some funds from our print advertising. Do you think that could work?

In this conversation, Jake balances advocating his viewpoint with inquiring about Natalie’s perspective, resulting in a productive exchange. Natalie also practices reflective statements and proposes constructive feedback, keeping the conversation open and collaborative.

Get ready to apply these strategies in the upcoming role-play session. You'll practice balancing advocacy and inquiry, ensuring that your conversations are both assertive and receptive.