James Lankford Quotes

The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.

Never contradict anybody.

I'm a very good listener, and I'm not interested in having fights simply for a question of protocol or vanity.

You can disagree without being disagreeable.

I don't remember threatening anybody, ever. I don't like threats. I don't respond well to them, so I don't give them. But I'm not a doormat. I try to meet the appropriate level of communications.

In my experience, yelling at people that they are wrong and disgusting rarely wins the argument, nor changes point of view.

Be assertive, but don't forget to look around. I realized there are other opinions that can be more useful to me than just sticking to my guns.

It's impossible to go through life not offending people. All you have to do is basically have an opinion on anything, and you're gonna offend people.

If you have learned how to disagree without being disagreeable, then you have discovered the secrete of getting along - whether it be business, family relations, or life itself.

I listen. I meet with everybody, I don't care what their political persuasion is - whether it be a labor union or small-business folks or individuals who have problems. But I meet with everybody and listen.

I believe you can work with anybody.

I just don't believe that you have to come in and insult people when you want to change things.

A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.

Avoid sarcasm. Don't insist on the last word.

Resist the need to be 'right' all the time or to always have the last word.

Real answers need to be found in dialogue and interaction and, yes, our shared human condition. This means being open to one another instead of simply fighting to maintain a prescribed position.

'The Conversation' will hopefully touch on issues that will move people to want to strengthen communication and look to each other for solutions.

Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes error a fault, and truth discourtesy.

My mother always taught us that if people don't agree with you, the important thing is to listen to them. But if you've listened to them carefully and you still think that you're right, then you must have the courage of your convictions.

I'm always a big fan of if you approach somebody politely about something and you're not a nudge - you're just pretty honest and simple, my kind of philosophy is that I'm not afraid of 'no,' and that's way different than 'I won't take no for an answer.'

In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change.

We may disagree on some things, but we can do so without being disagreeable.

Problems should be solved by talking and not in an aggressive manner.

…in every locality we should look beyond our noses; and at least say nothing on points where it is probable we shall disagree.

You don’t have to be confrontational of aggressive to get to where you want to be or get people to do what you want to do.