By locking yourself into a position which you must defend, you will find changing your position difficult. Early on, try to articulate your interests or principles, rather than taking a position or stand.

Rather than expecting, and looking for, opposing interests, look for the shared interests. This is difficult when people have different perspectives, or are not open to opposing views. Reformat the debate in your language, your terms, and your definition of the problem. Ask questions to identify the other members' interests.

Don't state your solution first. Spend time analysing and discussing the problem, sorting out the common interests, and then put a solution, relating it to those interests. Try to work out joint solutions, so that it is not 'your' solution or 'their' solution, but everyone's solution.

Don't constantly refer to past behaviour or statements (unless it is useful to do so) focus on the present and the future.