Some people are just provocative. They’ll pick a fight over almost anything. And their identity is simply to be the opposite to whoever you are and whatever you stand for.
It’s just a game with the aim of scoring points.
Some people are provocative because they don’t know the answer (or their answer) to the thing that’s bothering them. They need to think out loud by sparing, and may hang onto a viewpoint like a dog with a bone.
And some people are thoughtfully provocative. Yes, something is bothering them too. But they step back and look at all the angles. Is this a 6 or a 9? (HT to Brian Solis). And take the long view before launching their ever-so-gentle grenade.
Guess who makes a real change that lasts?