Embracing the Opposition: A Debate Challenge That Redefined My Perspective

On October 16th, I had the privilege of representing Lloyd & Mousilli in the Companies Debate Challenge organized by JCI Syria and sponsored by Damascus Chamber of Commerce and Syriatel. The motion was a compelling one for any HR professional like me: "Employee satisfaction is more important than client satisfaction in the long term."

The twist? Our team was tasked with arguing the opposition.

Building an Unlikely Team

As the only Syria-based employee for Lloyd & Mousilli, my first challenge was assembling a team. I was thrilled when my colleague, Sidra, and my mother, whose extensive professional experience I deeply admire, volunteered to join me. Together, we underwent a rigorous five-day training program by JCI, mastering debate rules, persuasive techniques, and public speaking.

Arguing Against My Own Beliefs

The irony was not lost on me. As a professional experienced in HR & Administration, I am a natural advocate for prioritizing employee satisfaction. This challenge forced me to set aside my personal bias and build a compelling, evidence-based case for the critical role of client satisfaction. I focused on how customer-centric strategies ultimately create the financial foundation that enables investment in employees in the long term.

On debate day, we presented our case against a formidable opponent: Syriatel, one of Syria's telecom giants. My key arguments included:

1. The Economics of Loyalty: Fueling Stability and Investment

I argued that a stable revenue base from loyal customers is the engine for long-term growth and investment in employees. It's a well-documented principle that retaining a customer can cost 5 to 25 times less than acquiring a new one (source: Harvard Business Review). These savings and predictable revenue provide the financial stability necessary to fund robust employee programs, competitive compensation, and comprehensive training.

• Proof: Look at Amazon. The enormous, recurring revenue from its Prime loyalty program funded massive expansion into new logistics centers and technologies. This growth, in turn, allowed Amazon to become one of the world's largest employers and fund multi-billion-dollar upskilling programs like "Career Choice," which pre-pays 95% of tuition for employees in high-demand fields. This is a direct link: customer loyalty finances growth, which creates jobs and funds employee advancement.

2. Quality as a Foundation of Financial Stability & Employee Security

I also contended that a relentless focus on product quality builds deep customer trust, which translates directly into long-term financial stability. This financial health is the very foundation of job security, fair compensation, and attractive benefits for employees. A company that cannot guarantee its future revenue cannot guarantee its employees' futures.

• Proof: LEGO's unwavering commitment to quality is legendary. The fact that a brick made in 1958 still perfectly interconnects with one made today has created generational trust and enduring value. This consistent profitability has directly funded industry-leading employee benefits. For instance, in 2023, LEGO announced it would invest $150 million over three years to enhance parental leave, health, and pension benefits for its U.S. employees—a direct investment in employee well-being made possible by the long-term financial stability earned through customer trust.

The Real Victory Was in the Experience

While we did not win the challenge to advance to the next round, the true victory was in the journey. The camaraderie of our unique team, the thrill of critical thinking under pressure, and the pride of representing Lloyd & Mousilli at the Damascus Chamber of Commerce were unparalleled successes.

Key Lessons from the Debate Stage

This experience was a profound professional development exercise. Here are my key takeaways:

1. Critical Thinking Muscle: The structure of debate is a powerful workout for your critical thinking and analytical skills.
2. Evidence-Based Solutions: It reinforces the need to back up opinions with verified data, a practice directly applicable to workplace problem-solving.
3. The Power of Definitions: Success of an argument often hinges on clearly defining terms in the first place like "client satisfaction" and "long term" from the outset.
4. No Blame, Only Gain: Winning is great, but blaming teammates for a loss is the ultimate failure. Every outcome is a learning opportunity.
5. Professional Respect: Passionate disagreement must always be coupled with professional respect; criticism should be about ideas, not people.
6. Breaking Bias: Being forced to argue the "other side" is a powerful reminder to challenge our own assumptions and remain open to different perspectives in solving problems and facing challenges.

This final lesson—the power of seeing all sides of an issue—struck me as universally valuable. The format of a structured debate is a tool any organization can use. Imagine applying this to internal strategy meetings: by formally arguing opposing viewpoints on a key business challenge, teams can stress-test their plans, uncover hidden blind spots, and foster a culture of innovative problem-solving. It’s a practice that builds stronger, more resilient strategies by ensuring every perspective is heard and every idea is rigorously examined.

I am immensely grateful to JCI Syria for this opportunity and to my incredible teammates, Sidra and my mother, for their courage and collaboration, Lloyd & Mousilli for their support. This journey was a powerful reminder that the greatest professional growth begins at the edge of your comfort zone.