If you can try to think of an ongoing argument as more of an intellectual deba
te today, dear Leo, you can make it very constructive and you can expect to ma
ke significant progress. Even if you and another party are on polar opposite e
nds of the discussion, by hearing each other out and trying to understand each
other, you can alter the tone of the conversation. Sometimes all it takes to
break through in a contentious situation is showing that you care enough to li
sten to what the other person thinks and feels, and it is likely they will do
the same for you in return.