Intent on cause/evidence
Comment on the intent (of yourself or the other party) to discover or redirect the motivation of the belief or argument.
Ask:
- What’s the intention?
- Why are they saying this?
- What’s the second gain?
- What are they trying to get?
- What’s the real intention?
Statement: Finding a new job is very hard.
I understand your intention is to make finding the job process easier. Why don’t you start with small goals like finding a job with a lower requirement to build up your confidence?
Statement: His laziness at work makes me very angry.
I know your intention is to find fairness at work. Did you see he worked extra hours last month, so he might deserve a break this month?