About 18 months ago, Ford Harding and I had a "fight."
Well, we agreed to disagree in public, in advance.
Our disagreement was real; it was our bickering that was trumped up. Once we got started, we both got into it with spirit and good humor, and had fun doing it. We were hoping we could stimulate some important discussion. We didn't really get any comments on our blogs. But recently I learned there had been a significant amount of behind-the-scenes chatter about our "tiff."
People thought we didn't like each other.
Today, Ford and I are laughing about this. But we are also a bit surprised that our "fight" would be remembered, not the points we were trying to make.
Cyberspace conversations do indeed take on a life of their own, even if it doesn't appear that way at first. I knew this, intellectually, but even I was surprised by perceptions I never thought we could set in motion.
People are naturally intrigued by "public" disagreement. While Ford and I may have been unsuccessful at stimulating conversation in the blogosphere, we certainly did so in people's real lives.
What does this situation say about the power of opposition? By expressing our opposing views, can we help others learn, clarify their own perspectives, or make changes? Could expressions of alternative perceptions actually be useful to marketers and business developers?
Could we use our unique viewpoints to help break down the silos that exist in professional firms' marketing and business development?
Suzanne
Constructive debate forces us to clear thinking in ways agreement cannot. For me it also makes more interesting reading than the kinds of mutually admiring commentary popular on the internet. But words in print lack the nuances tone of voice gives in person and so often seem harsher than they are meant. To avoid misunderstanding agreeing to disagree in advance is a good course, but our readers couldn't know this.
I remain happy to disagree with you any time and appreciate your friendship all the more for being such a redoubtable adversary.
And I still say you were wrong!
Ford Harding
Posted by: Ford Harding | May 01, 2009 at 06:55 AM
For me it also makes more interesting reading than the kinds of mutually admiring commentary popular on the internet....thanks!!!
Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Network | May 20, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Constructive debate forces us to clear thinking in ways agreement cannot.
Posted by: Online pharmacy | June 01, 2009 at 10:37 AM
even though it was part charade, it made for good reading
Posted by: Maurice Petersen | July 23, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Very helpful information that point to the reality. In today's marketing war it is not easy to survive!
Posted by: Sinela Gherman | August 30, 2009 at 10:19 AM