Not Everything is a Discussion

Why are you debating what's already decided?

Not everything is a discussion. Someone might want to discuss whether the Earth is flat. But it simply isn't.

You know this. Yet you're still sitting in meetings where people "explore different perspectives" on settled matters. Still entertaining conversations about whether quality matters. Still listening to someone explain why deadlines are just suggestions.

What you call being open-minded is being weak-minded.

When someone challenges basic reality, you think that engaging with them shows respect. Shows you're collaborative. Shows you value diverse viewpoints.

Stop dignifying nonsense with debate.

Some things aren't opinions. They're facts. The project deadline isn't negotiable—it's contractual. Customer satisfaction isn't optional—it's survival. Professional standards aren't preferences—they're requirements.

The moment you debate the undebatable, you've already lost.

You think you're being diplomatic by saying, "Let's discuss this." But what you're really saying is "I'm not confident enough to state what's true."

Your team doesn't need another discussion about whether showing up on time matters. Your client doesn't want to debate whether delivering what you promised is important.

End the conversation before it starts.

The next time someone wants to "explore" whether standards apply to them, don't engage. Don't explain. Don't justify.

Just say: "That's not a discussion."