Graham’s pyramid can come in handy when you’re arguing with someone and can’t understand why you can’t agree. You feel like you’re in a never-ending cycle, or you’re always at an impasse, -help.
In the event of a discussion, see if someone is distracting, off-topic, barely noticeable, but successfully leading the conversation astray. My personal favourite is ‘backpedalling to… the ‘style, -well that’s really important. I think we can have a good argument, even if we like each other, – as long as the common goal is not to change or discredit each other, but to understand.
In understanding the other, Maslow; in understanding the dynamics of the argument, Graham comes to your rescue.
I don’t run in circles these days, I just point out which level of the pyramid a particular reflection corresponds to, and tell you to continue the conversation towards the top.
I’m not saying that it doesn’t end in insult, but at least the discussion itself doesn’t become a shameless one, giving us a chance to move on.