Debate Coach Delivers Harsh Truth

Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.

When I was younger, I believed that because I was a strong analytical thinker, I’d be unstoppable in debate and the rest of life.

My beliefs didn’t match reality. Not only was I mediocre at debate, but I was unfriendly, and a terrible listener.

After practice, one time, my coach pulled me aside and told me “You know Izzy, you’re not going to want to hear this. The reason you’re not good at debate, the reason why people don’t like you is because you’re an asshole.”

He went on to encourage me to read How to Win Friends and Influence people, and taught me the importance of focusing on listening in debate. I spent much more time trying to understand where opponents were coming from, and a lot less time trying to predict their arguments.

I also recruited a kick-ass debate partner who’s one of my best friends to this day, in part because we connected over a variety of things including dungeons and dragons, a keen dislike of an old foreign language teacher, and Taco Bell.

We qualified for state finals six times my senior year, got eighth place at state finals. In college, I ended up winning a national debate tournament solo.

Two years into my adult career, I’m a mid-senior tech project manager, a blogger, and still an idiot. But, I can’t help but to appreciate his ‘shove’ in the right direction.

Thanks coach.