Discussing involves active listening. Curiosity. Openness. It requires genuine interest in ideas, even if they contradict your own.
Defending involves taking and holding a position. Looking for openings to argue against another idea. Preparing your response, while you should be listening.
Discussing takes time. Discussing requires courtesy, respect, and patience. Defending, not so much.
Most discussions we see on TV, or hear on the radio, aren’t discussions at all. They’re exercises in defending. Questions and answers are metered out in an attempt to defend one position or another.
It’s often the same in a business setting.
The search for alignment, a conclusion, a decision, or an all-out victory often trumps everything else, including a meaningful exchange of ideas.
How often do you defend, instead of discuss? Be honest. We’re just discussing here…no need to get all defensive.
What if you went through an entire day without defending? Think you could do it?
Encouragement is Personal 
Yes!! I can go an entire day without defending… it’s so refreshing to think about just discussing things vs being in a posture of defensiveness. Much less toxins in the body to deal with, too!!
I can go days with out being on defense. I can also go without discussion and just listen. I suppose it depends on whether the subject is something I am passionate about. If not then I would just rather avoid the drama of engaging someone in verbal jujitsu. Must be where I am in life right now.
Listening is my life! It is the best way to get the best out of others.