How to Defuse an Argument With a Few Words

I really dislike confrontation and will do pretty much anything in my power to avoid most arguments. Still, like anyone, I end up in a few every now and then. I’ve read a ton of different techniques for handling tense situations, but I heard some great advice this week: “Just ask what they want from the argument.” The speaker attributed it to Oprah, which while that might be true, there’s no record I can find of her ever saying it. It is good advice, though…