Harvard Negotiator Explains How to Argue

Question 1

Emotionally-charged

Answer 1

adjective
Something that is filled with strong emotions
* We had a very emotionally-charged meeting to discuss his demotion.
* The debate over gun control has become quite emotionally-charged.

Question 2

Aggravating

Answer 2

adjective
Causing frustration or anger
* His bad habit of always being late is incredibly aggravating.
* It’s aggravating when people do not respect your personal space on public transport.

Question 3

Nonnegotiable

Answer 3

adjective
Something that cannot be changed through negotiation or discussion
* Attendance at this safety meeting is nonnegotiable.
* Our policy of harassment is nonnegotiable.

Question 4

Hunch

Answer 4

noun
An idea that is based on a feeling for which there is no proof
* My hunch is that we should not sell the business yet.
* She had a hunch that she should invest in their startup.

Question 5

Tribal

Answer 5

adjective
Strong loyalty to a particular group or identity
* The political discourse in the States have become increasingly polarized and tribal.
* Tribal loyalties often lead to specific kinds of voting behavior.

Question 6

A trap

Answer 6

noun
A situation from which it is difficult or impossible to escape
* I think it’s a trap to invest all your money in that new crypto.
* We are trying to get out of the trap we created by buying that weak company.

Question 7

I / we shall …

Answer 7

modal verb
Shall is used instead of ‘will’ to indicate a strong intention
* I shall not follow these silly rules of yours!
* We shall survive this crisis come hell or high water!

Question 8

Credibility

Answer 8

noun
The fact that someone / something can be believed or trusted
* That decision has really undermined his credibility.
* That data leak really damaged our credibility.

Question 9

Stifle someone down

Answer 9

phrasal verb
To forcefully suppress or silence someone
* He is always trying to stifle everyone down.
* She stifled him down in order to raise herself up.

Question 10

Affiliation

Answer 10

noun
A person’s alignment with a particular viewpoint or group
* His affiliation with the Nazi party was finally exposed.
* Her affiliation with the environmental movement informs all of her opinions.

Question 11

Boy …

Answer 11

expression
Used to indicate an emphasis on what follows
* Boy…it’s hot today!
* Oh boy! This is the best lasagne I’ve ever had!

Question 12

Rationale

Answer 12

noun
The reasons for a particular decision or action
* I don’t understand the rationale behind their actions at all.
* What exactly was the rationale behind your decision to quit?

Question 13

Rams butting heads

Answer 13

metaphor
Conflict between two strong-willed individuals or groups
* The two CEOs are acting like rams butting heads over the direction of the company.
* Our department heads were like rams butting heads over resource allocation.

Question 14

Adversary

Answer 14

noun
An enemy
* She saw him as her main adversary to getting that position.
* They are our biggest adversary within the industry.