Episode Details

In this episode, Chris and Lucie discuss what to do when someone keeps interrupting you while you speak, or, when you are the one who keeps interrupting others and want to stop :)

Key Takeaways:

Reasons for Interrupting:

• Having lots of ideas and wanting to share them.
• Reacting emotionally (anger, upset) and wanting to defend yourself.
• Feeling a need to show expertise or control the conversation.

How to Stop Interrupting Yourself:

• Self-awareness: Notice how often you interrupt.
• Note-taking: Jot down ideas as the other person speaks to come back to later.
• Calming Techniques: Use grounding tools (rock, deep breaths) to manage anxiety.
• Listen to Understand: Focus on truly understanding the other person's perspective.

How to Deal with People who Interrupt:

• Have a conversation with them 1:1 and communicate the impact the interruptions have on you/team and without blame, ask, e.g., 'In our next meeting, what could we do to make sure your points get heard, and also I get to finish what I want to say first?"
• Think about Ground Rules: E.g., establish agreements on taking turns or focusing on one point at a time.
• Muting Yourself (Online): If triggered, mute your microphone to avoid interrupting unintentionally. (Not applicable in person)

Any other ideas, what has worked for you?

Let us know!

Contact Us

Check out the Mastering Difficult Conversations Course https://leadershippotential.teachable.com/p/mastering-difficult-conversations-how-to

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Email – tas.difficultconversations@gmail.com

Chris – www.linkedin.com/in/chriswonglmhc

Lucie – www.linkedin.com/in/lucietesarova