Ready to jump into practice? Go directly to the exercise.
True Confession: I’m an unreformed interrupter.
That’s because I’m opinionated, impatient, a fast thinker, and a fast talker. I hate waiting for other people to get to the point. (Ask my husband.) 😇
Now, do I want you to copy me, because interrupting is the greatest thing since sliced bread?
No, I do not!
But there are situations where you should feel free to interrupt with a totally clean conscience; for example when:
- You’re saving someone from putting their foot in their mouth, or
- The person who’s talking won’t stop, and everyone in the room is falling asleep, or
- They interrupted YOU first!
Interrupt Like Yourself…No, Really!
When you interrupt someone who just interrupted you, make your own interruption as powerful as possible.
What does “as powerful as possible” mean? That’s going to depend in large part on you — on things like what your role is, who you’re interrupting, how you prefer to communicate, and how you want to come across in general. So, for example:
- Tactful and gracious: “John, I’m sorry, but I’m actually not finished.”
- Apologetic and regretful (because the other person has high status): “John, I’m SO SORRY to interrupt, but are you OK if I just wrap up that one point?”
- Smart and edgy (my first choice): “JOHN!” [unspoken: WTF do you think you’re doing???? 🤣 ]
Any of these approaches can be powerful (yes, even the regretful, apologetic one) if your attitude includes a clear intention to take back the floor.
Now You Just Have to Open Up a Wedge
By definition, when you interrupt someone, you’ve got to grab their attention so that they stop talking. (That’s why you need to interrupt powerfully. If you interrupt with ambivalence, they may not even notice.)
This “25 x 25 in ’25” exercise will help you do both those things: