Sometimes when we disagree with someone, one or both parties believe the engagement can’t be over until there is a clear winner – till all parties agree on who or what is “right.”

This is an unfortunately common dynamic in human interactions because in so many situations there is no clear and verifiable right, there are multiple ways to be right (and multiple ways to be wrong), or what is right is subjective (e.g. what kind of ice cream is the best).

A great tool to use to get past these relationship impasses is the simple statement, “You could be right.”  If used with sincerity, this super power statement deescalates head-on conflict by validating the perspectives and opinions of both parties without having to agree on who is “right.”  It is a way of unilaterally agreeing to disagree while giving the gift of respect and dignity to the other side.  It gives everyone the space to hold on to their own unique or even conflicting beliefs and perspectives while staying in the relationship or group.  It says to everyone that conformity on this issue is not a requirement for us moving forward together.

The only way to truly appreciate how powerful this simple statement can be is to try it out.  You don’t have to though, because after all, you could think this is a completely useless concept, and “you could be right.”