Ten Ways to Address a Dogmatic Juggernaut in Politics and Business

Have been seeing this creep in since the 80s when Jack Welch took over GE. It has continued to spread through business and politics. Looking at some issues we face as a world, now is not the time to be dogmatic.

Being dogmatic is projecting a sense of one’s truth, surpassing anyone else’s truth, even though it may be bogus. According to the group laying them down, it’s putting down incontrovertibly true principles, usually with very little evidence to support them.

When you combine dogmatic with a perceived powerful, overwhelming organization, we call that a Dogmatic Juggernaut. Some politicians and business leaders are exhibiting this tendency more and more. It is becoming very prevalent, and it is becoming difficult to deal with for the average person, company, or country.

Addressing a dogmatic juggernaut in politics and business involves strategic thinking, communication skills, and a nuanced understanding of the context.

Here are ten ways to navigate and potentially influence such a figure:

Understand Their Perspective:

Before engaging, thoroughly research their beliefs, motivations, and goals. Understanding their perspective can help craft persuasive arguments that resonate with their values. It may be difficult because some try to hide their true intentions, but it is possible if you ask the right person or the right question. You have a chance to change the course if done right. However, you may find that you can’t fully understand their point of view because they are delusional, full-blown illegal, or have a high level of entitlement, so you have to decide whether to continue or walk away.

Build Common Ground:

Identify areas of mutual interest or shared values. Focusing on commonalities can create a foundation for more productive discussions and reduce adversarial dynamics. While this is easy to say, it is more challenging to bring into reality. You may need to revisit your values so your foundation is not destroyed. Look for small areas of commonality to start, and take each step with deliberate intention so that progress is seen on both sides. Once you crack the shell, you can leverage that crack to open the playing field more and more.

Use Evidence-Based Arguments:

When dealing with dogmatic individuals, grounding your arguments in solid evidence and data will be more effective than appealing to emotions or opinions. However, understand that you must provide evidence to support your point of view from solid sources that the dogmatic person responds to on other issues. They will not dismiss the proof as irrelevant or insignificant because they don’t trust the source. The more diverse the evidence and the more unchallengeable quality & quantity you present will help open and make the discussion more fruitful.

Engage in Open Dialogue:

Encourage open, respectful dialogue rather than confrontational debate. Show genuine interest in their point of view to foster a more cooperative atmosphere. As noted before, please research to understand where they stand and why. The why may be more important than the what or where, so be thorough and open-minded.

Leverage Influential Allies:

Identify and collaborate with others who hold sway over the juggernaut. Influential allies who share your views can persuade them to reconsider their stance. While this is a powerful tool, it can also be a catastrophic arrangement because your new allies may have completely different unexpressed expectations or agendas, so tread lightly. What do they want in exchange for working with you to persuade the dogmatic person or group?

Offer Solutions, Not Criticisms:

Focus on proposing constructive solutions rather than merely criticizing their approach. Highlight the benefits of your proposals in the terms they value. It will be either in money or power to start with, so you need to be careful when quantifying the benefits.

Appeal to Their Interests:

Frame your arguments in a way that aligns with their self-interest. Demonstrating how your ideas can help achieve their goals can make them more receptive. The key here is ensuring you are not jeopardizing your values and principles to make this happen. It is effortless to fall into the vortex once it starts to open, and then you are sucked into their world, good or bad.

Exercise Patience and Persistence:

Changing a dogmatic mindset always requires time. Be prepared for a long-term engagement, gradually introducing new ideas and evidence. They know the longer they drag out the situation, the better their chance of getting what they want. However, when you know this upfront, you can be prepared for the duration. Be flexible yet articulate. Be open-minded yet observant of the process continuum so you are fully aware of what transpires in the background and the foreground.

Employ Strategic Compromise:

Be willing to negotiate and compromise where possible. Finding a middle ground can sometimes lead to incremental changes that pave the way for more significant shifts in the future. Know what they are demanding and what you are willing to compromise on, then draw your boundaries.

Cultivate Emotional Intelligence:

Ensure that you understand and manage your own emotions while being sensitive to theirs. Avoiding triggers that might lead to defensiveness and focusing on empathetic communication can improve outcomes. Managing the conversation with all the skills you have to work with can make the process more rewarding. Think before you commit to anything. Ask yourself all the right questions so you are not forced into a corner. As Mohammed Ali said: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”

In Summary,

In dealing with a dogmatic juggernaut, the key is often to blend strategic patience with thoughtful, evidence-based persuasion. It’s about nudging rather than pushing, aiming for gradual shifts in perspective rather than immediate transformations.

However, as with all Dogmatic Juggernauts, there comes a time when they will continue to press on, taking everything from everyone along the way, destroying everything in their path. Then, if none of these ways have worked, it may be time for a revolution.