How to Stop People Who Interrupt You

Do you often meet people who have the habit of interrupting conversations?

I have met with some interrupting people while conducting teachers’ workshops and interactive sessions with youth. In the beginning, it was very awkward but later, I learned the ways to deal with the situation.

You know, interrupting people, whether it’s family or work, they just make you frustrated. They keep cutting you off, which is quite irritating. There’s a chance you may forget what you were saying or not be able to express it properly. If you can’t express yourself properly, it may cause confusion both at work and in your personal life.

Let’s understand in what way interruptions during a conversation can frustrate you:

Interruption — -

-breaks thought flow:

When someone interrupts you while you are speaking, you may lose your track of thought. You have to restart from the same point which requires additional time and effort. It leads to a senseless waste of time. It becomes worse to worse when you forget the main idea sometimes.

-generates inferiority complex:

When someone interrupts you again and again, it generates a feeling of inferiority. You doubt your thoughts are not genuine. It harms your self-confidence.

-adversely affects efficient presentation:

Interruptions break the flow of meaningful conversation. A rational, orderly discussion becomes confusing and inconsistent. Thus, due to a lack of clarity, listeners may find it difficult to understand.

-only wastes time:

Interruptions drag out conversations unnecessarily. It’s a waste of time to answer questions and start over the conversation repeatedly. Usually, you require Moreover, you have to repeat information already given for others to understand the context at the cost of extra time. Such unwanted waste of time proves very costly, especially in a busy workplace where time is valuable.

-damages creativity and innovation:

An uninterrupted flow of thoughts is required for creative thinking. Interruptions block this flow. It is quite challenging for people to develop new ideas amidst disruptions. In a situation of persistent interruptions, innovative people avoid expressing their creative thoughts because of a fear of undue criticism.

-causes emotional setback:

Constant interruptions induce frustration, dissatisfaction, and resentment. Gradually, this leads to anxiety and stress, and generates a sense of exclusion.

-spoils relationships:

Frequent interruptions make your personal or professional relationships strained. This creates feelings of disrespect and indifference, leading to conflicts and relationship failures.

-harms self-confidence:

Repeated interruptions weaken your self-confidence. You start doubting the soundness of your ideas. You hesitate to present them again somewhere else. Thus, it adversely affects your personal and professional improvement.

Here are six strategies to control those who interrupt conversations:

1. Express What You Want

Before starting a conversation or meeting, make it clear, saying, “I would like your attention on a few points which will take just a little time. Please hold your questions and thoughts until I finish.” This politely notifies everyone that you want to speak without interruptions.

2. Use Gestures Instead of Words

During discussions, your body language can play a vital role in warding off unnecessary interruptions. If someone wants to speak, use a hand gesture to signal them to wait. Maintain eye contact with confidence to draw listeners’ attention.

3. Directly Address the Interrupter

If someone interrupts, you can politely but firmly ask them to wait. Tell, “I’m sorry, but I haven’t finished my point yet.” Then continue with your speech. This conveys that your thoughts are important. They must hear them without interruption.

4. Clarify Three Key Points

Explain:

What are you saying?

Why are you saying it?

And what do you want?

Sometimes, interruptions crop up because of misunderstandings, so people impatiently ask questions. Put forward your points clearly and concisely. For example, you can say, “I will explain my points in three parts.” This helps listeners understand patiently without interruptions.

5. Send Your Points in Writing

If you cannot control interruptions despite all efforts, you can send a detailed email to everyone after the meeting. This way, you can convey your thoughts with no interruptions.

6. Establish a Culture of Respectful Listening

If interruptions are a common habit in your environment, you can organize formal conversation programs to practice formal communication rules.

Give everyone a chance to speak without interruptions.

Follow a debate format, with a set time for questions after speaking.

Key Message:

Always remember to stay calm and balanced during conversations. If you lose your temper and speak loudly it will surely worsen the situation. I believe that by applying the above strategies, you can avoid interruptions.

Originally published on Medium.