The Art of Evasion: How "Deflection" Became a Universal Tool in Politics, Business, and Life
Imagine this: you ask a direct question and get a response like, "Haven’t you thought that we should discuss something more important?" Sound familiar?
This is a classic example of "deflection"—a rhetorical technique that allows someone to avoid answering by shifting the focus to another topic. This method is used everywhere: from political debates to office meetings. Let’s break down how it works, why it’s so effective, and when its use crosses ethical boundaries.
What Is "Deflection"?
"Deflection" (from the English term) is a rhetorical strategy where the speaker sidesteps a direct question by redirecting attention to a different topic or posing a counter-question. The goal is to evade an uncomfortable subject while maintaining the appearance of engaging in dialogue.
Example:
Question: "Why did you raise product prices?"
Response: "Haven’t you thought that we should discuss the quality of service in our stores instead?"
Why Does It Work?
Creates an Illusion of a Response: The audience feels the conversation is ongoing, even though the core question remains unaddressed.
Shifts Focus: Redirecting to another topic distracts from the original issue.
Buys Time: The speaker gains a moment to gather their thoughts or prepare arguments.
Examples in Politics
Politics is perhaps the primary arena where "deflection" is wielded as a professional tool.
Example 1:
Journalist’s Question: "Why hasn’t your party fulfilled its promise to lower taxes?"
Politician’s Response: "Haven’t you thought that we should talk more about the future rather than the past? Let’s discuss how we can improve our citizens’ lives starting today."
Example 2:
Question: "Why didn’t you support the environmental protection bill?"
Response: "Haven’t you considered that we should focus more on job creation? Without a stable economy, we can’t fund environmental programs."
Examples in Business
In business, "deflection" is often employed during presentations, meetings, and negotiations.
Example 1:
Investor’s Question: "Why didn’t your company meet its quarterly targets?"
CEO’s Response: "Haven’t you thought that we should talk more about our innovative projects that will transform the market in the coming years?"
Example 2:
Employee’s Question: "Why haven’t we gotten raises despite the company’s increased profits?"
Manager’s Response: "Haven’t you considered that we should focus more on teamwork and improving corporate culture?"
Examples in Everyday Life
In daily interactions, "deflection" is often used to avoid conflict or uncomfortable topics.
Example 1:
Question: "Why were you late to the meeting?"
Response: "Haven’t you thought that we should talk more about how to spend time together instead of my tardiness?"
Example 2:
Question: "Why didn’t you wash the dishes?"
Response: "Haven’t you considered that we should discuss how to divide household chores more fairly?"
Examples at Work
In the workplace, "deflection" can serve as both a management tactic and a way to dodge accountability.
Example 1:
Colleague’s Question: "Why didn’t you finish your part of the project on time?"
Response: "Haven’t you thought that we should talk more about improving team communication?"
Example 2:
Boss’s Question: "Why didn’t you prepare the report?"
Response: "Haven’t you considered that we should discuss how to optimize processes to prevent such delays in the future?"
The Ethics of Using "Deflection"
While this technique is effective, overusing it or applying it clumsily can come across as manipulative.
When It’s Acceptable:
To buy time in a tricky situation.
To shift focus to a more pressing issue.
To avoid conflict in personal relationships.
When It’s Unacceptable:
When the question demands a straight answer (e.g., during a scandal or crisis).
When it’s used to hide the truth or shirk responsibility.
When it becomes a habit that erodes trust.
How to Spot "Deflection"?
Check the Response Structure: If instead of a direct answer you’re offered a new topic to discuss, it might be deflection.
Ask a Follow-Up Question: Return to the original topic to test whether the speaker is dodging.
Assess the Context: If the issue is significant and the response is evasive, it could signal manipulation.
Conclusion
"Deflection" is a powerful tool that can be both helpful and risky. In skilled hands, it diffuses conflicts, redirects attention to key issues, and buys time. However, overusing it can undermine trust and create an impression of insincerity.
The key takeaway: words carry weight, but only when backed by action. Use "deflection" wisely, and it’ll be your ally—not your enemy.
Imagine this: you ask a direct question and get a response like, "Haven’t you thought that we should discuss something more important?" Sound familiar?
This is a classic example of "deflection"—a rhetorical technique that allows someone to avoid answering by shifting the focus to another topic. This method is used everywhere: from political debates to office meetings. Let’s break down how it works, why it’s so effective, and when its use crosses ethical boundaries.
What Is "Deflection"?
"Deflection" (from the English term) is a rhetorical strategy where the speaker sidesteps a direct question by redirecting attention to a different topic or posing a counter-question. The goal is to evade an uncomfortable subject while maintaining the appearance of engaging in dialogue.
Example:
Question: "Why did you raise product prices?"
Response: "Haven’t you thought that we should discuss the quality of service in our stores instead?"
Why Does It Work?
Creates an Illusion of a Response: The audience feels the conversation is ongoing, even though the core question remains unaddressed.
Shifts Focus: Redirecting to another topic distracts from the original issue.
Buys Time: The speaker gains a moment to gather their thoughts or prepare arguments.
Examples in Politics
Politics is perhaps the primary arena where "deflection" is wielded as a professional tool.
Example 1:
Journalist’s Question: "Why hasn’t your party fulfilled its promise to lower taxes?"
Politician’s Response: "Haven’t you thought that we should talk more about the future rather than the past? Let’s discuss how we can improve our citizens’ lives starting today."
Example 2:
Question: "Why didn’t you support the environmental protection bill?"
Response: "Haven’t you considered that we should focus more on job creation? Without a stable economy, we can’t fund environmental programs."
Examples in Business
In business, "deflection" is often employed during presentations, meetings, and negotiations.
Example 1:
Investor’s Question: "Why didn’t your company meet its quarterly targets?"
CEO’s Response: "Haven’t you thought that we should talk more about our innovative projects that will transform the market in the coming years?"
Example 2:
Employee’s Question: "Why haven’t we gotten raises despite the company’s increased profits?"
Manager’s Response: "Haven’t you considered that we should focus more on teamwork and improving corporate culture?"
Examples in Everyday Life
In daily interactions, "deflection" is often used to avoid conflict or uncomfortable topics.
Example 1:
Question: "Why were you late to the meeting?"
Response: "Haven’t you thought that we should talk more about how to spend time together instead of my tardiness?"
Example 2:
Question: "Why didn’t you wash the dishes?"
Response: "Haven’t you considered that we should discuss how to divide household chores more fairly?"
Examples at Work
In the workplace, "deflection" can serve as both a management tactic and a way to dodge accountability.
Example 1:
Colleague’s Question: "Why didn’t you finish your part of the project on time?"
Response: "Haven’t you thought that we should talk more about improving team communication?"
Example 2:
Boss’s Question: "Why didn’t you prepare the report?"
Response: "Haven’t you considered that we should discuss how to optimize processes to prevent such delays in the future?"
The Ethics of Using "Deflection"
While this technique is effective, overusing it or applying it clumsily can come across as manipulative.
When It’s Acceptable:
To buy time in a tricky situation.
To shift focus to a more pressing issue.
To avoid conflict in personal relationships.
When It’s Unacceptable:
When the question demands a straight answer (e.g., during a scandal or crisis).
When it’s used to hide the truth or shirk responsibility.
When it becomes a habit that erodes trust.
How to Spot "Deflection"?
Check the Response Structure: If instead of a direct answer you’re offered a new topic to discuss, it might be deflection.
Ask a Follow-Up Question: Return to the original topic to test whether the speaker is dodging.
Assess the Context: If the issue is significant and the response is evasive, it could signal manipulation.
Conclusion
"Deflection" is a powerful tool that can be both helpful and risky. In skilled hands, it diffuses conflicts, redirects attention to key issues, and buys time. However, overusing it can undermine trust and create an impression of insincerity.
The key takeaway: words carry weight, but only when backed by action. Use "deflection" wisely, and it’ll be your ally—not your enemy.