Avoid turning the conversation into a personal contest of "you're wrong, I'm right".
Because tax reform is the centrepiece of Mr Kohl's snail-like programme to increase growth and jobs, Mr Lafontaine, a traditional left-winger, has made it the battleground for a personal contest with the chancellor.
The Oscars battle will make for a fascinating personal contest, almost a movie in itself.
Solving is an escape to some, a personal contest to others.
The matter was complicated by Simon's personal contest with Gaston de Béarn, the leading rebel.
And no other sport except prize-fighting is so spectacularly a personal contest.
This goes along with a proportional voting system that forces candidates of the same party to compete for votes, turning elections into intensely personal contests.
Mr Cable lost both his ministerial job and his seat in the Commons, and Mr Umunna, who was thought to have a good chance of being the next Labour leader, abruptly pulled out of the leadership contest for personal reasons.
Our close personal friends at JPG Magazine are holding a photo contest for aspiring shooters.
