Have you ever been interrupted in the middle of a conversation and had to run away from the conversation? It can be rude and irritating.
As a communications expert and author of Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons, I work with many high-performing professionals who tend to listen before they speak. When we finally muster up the courage to speak up, we are often overshadowed by the loud and dominant people in the room.
If someone interrupts you, you can:
1. Stay anchored
The first step is to manage what’s going on in your head when this happens. We feel uncomfortable when we are interrupted, and we tend to take it personally.
If you feel angry or shocked, take a breath, look away, and focus on the next step. Stay grounded and take your next action with clarity and conviction.
2. Say their name
After taking a moment to readjust, take back the conversation by actually saying the name of the person who interrupted you.
Research shows that hearing your own name instantly grabs your attention and signals a change in conversation. Aim to be neutral and fact-oriented, with a low pitch to convey authority.
In my experience, the interrupter will stop and look at you, which is your chance to chime in again.
Don’t wait too long. At some point, the conversation moves on and you lose the opportunity to make a point.
3. Use bridge phrases
Now that you have the attention of the interrupter and others present, return to your train of thought using a bridging phrase.
“That’s an interesting point. I’d like to go back to what I was saying earlier…” “Thank you for the perspective, but let me close this point.” “I think you’re on to something, which makes sense…”
4. Respond to backlash
In some cases, your coworker will probably keep talking to you on purpose. There are two options:
please shout out loud
Be even more assertive by calling out what’s going on in a clear and direct way. for example:
“I’ve tried to get past this point several times in the past, and I want to see it through to the end.” “Before I move on, I want to make sure I’ve got my thoughts across. May I have a little time until I’m done?”
In both examples, you are specific about your expectations.
Handle interruptions personally
After the meeting, pull the person aside and name what you observed. Stay calm and mention the specific meeting when the interruption occurred. You might say:
“Today, I noticed that I was cutting off in the middle of speaking.I want to find a better rhythm in the future.” “I wanted to check in with you after yesterday’s team meeting. I felt like you were having a hard time getting your thoughts out without being interrupted. I don’t think it was intentional, but I wanted to mention it so you can be more careful next time.”
Most people will correct course if confronted one-on-one.
5. Follow up to make sure you get your point across.
Finally, if you feel like you weren’t able to effectively share what you wanted to say due to an interruption, follow up using multiple communication channels. For example, send an email or Slack message to a group, or repeat it in another meeting to make sure you get your point across.
Research shows that even with interruptions, people need to hear the message multiple times before it sticks. So repeat it and follow up with confidence. People will respect you for that.
Jessica Chen, founder and CEO of Soulcast Media, has taught over 2 million people how to improve their communication skills. She is a keynote speaker and Emmy Award-winning former television journalist. Her book, Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reason, teaches smart professionals how to use strategic communication skills to stand out, increase confidence at work, and build a career you love. Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Do you want to get ahead at work? Next, you need to learn how to make effective small talk. In CNBC’s new online course, “How to Talk to People at Work,” expert instructors share practical strategies for using everyday conversations to increase visibility, build meaningful relationships, and accelerate career growth. Sign up now!
