Best Practices For Handling Interruptions During Calls

Accept interruptions, and you risk silencing yourself. 7 proven ways to politely stop people from interrupting you (and be heard): 1/ Ask to continue When someone cuts you off, a quick “May I finish?” works wonders. It’s polite but firm. Example: In a business review, when someone jumps in, pause, make eye contact, and say, “If it’s alright, I’d like to complete my thought first.” Most people will back off right away. 2/ Acknowledge, then steer back When someone interrupts, don’t try to talk over them. Let them finish, then ask, “Are you finished?” before jumping back into your point. This approach shows you’re listening but also reinforces boundaries. Example: In a team meeting, someone interrupts mid-thought. Once they’ve wrapped up, say, “Got it—are you finished? Great, let me quickly finish what I was saying, and then we can dive into that.” 3/ Set expectations Don’t leave people guessing. Tell them upfront when it’s okay to jump in. Example: Starting a presentation? Say, “Feel free to note down questions, and we’ll tackle them during Q&A.” This clears up confusion before it starts. 4/ Keep it short and sweet The more direct and organized you are, the less room for interruptions. Example: Instead of going on a tangent, try, “Here’s the challenge, here’s our approach, and here’s the next step.” Clear and concise wins every time. 5/ Use tools to drive inclusion Technology is your friend—especially in hybrid or virtual settings. Example: In a Zoom meeting, you can say, “Let’s use the ‘raise hand’ feature to streamline the discussion.” 6/ Let your body do the talking Nonverbal cues like raising your hand or simple eye contact can signal you’re not done speaking—without saying a word. Example: In a brainstorming session, if someone tries to interrupt, raise your hand slightly while you keep talking. It’s a subtle but effective way to keep control. 7/ Talk about it one-on-one If interruptions are a habit for someone, have a friendly private chat with them later. Most people don’t even realize they’re doing it. Example: After a meeting, pull them aside: “Hey, I noticed you jumped in a few times earlier. Let’s find a way to make sure both our points come across next time.” What tips have you found most helpful in dealing with this situation? PS: How you show up for others who are being interrupted matters. ---- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

Raise your hand if you’ve been interrupted mid-sentence - especially in a meeting full of men. 🙋🏽♀️ It happens more often than we’d like to admit. Women are often interrupted, ignored, or talked over, and it can feel frustrating, demoralizing, and exhausting. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here's how you can assertively take back the conversation and maintain control: 1. Pause: Don’t just keep talking. Pause, make eye contact, and say something like, “I’d like to finish my thought,” or “I wasn’t done speaking.” This sets a boundary without aggression. 2. Be silent: If someone interrupts you, let there be a brief moment of silence. This gives you space to reassert control and shows confidence in your words. 3. Repeat: If you’re cut off, calmly restate your point and say, “As I was saying…” This gently reminds everyone that your contribution deserves to be heard. 4. Use your body language: Be intentional with your posture. Sit up straight, hold your ground, and use confident gestures to reinforce your presence in the conversation. 5. Involve others: If the interruptions continue, invite others into the conversation to back you up. You can say, “I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, [name], after I finish.” Remember: You belong at the table, and your voice matters. Interruptions don’t show how credible you are. They show that others need to respect your boundaries. And you need to be confident in setting them. Don’t let anyone take that away from you. P.S. Have you experienced being interrupted in meetings? How do you handle it?

Getting interrupted is more than frustrating. It subconsciously eats away at your confidence, especially when it happens repeatedly. But there are ways to address people when they interrupt you to make your voice heard. As someone who has experienced this throughout my career, and who coaches people who deal with the same thing, I know how important it is to speak up. Here are some tips that have helped me and others: - Acknowledge the interrupter: Politely and confidently acknowledge the interrupter, look directly at them, and ask if you can finish your thought. - Set boundaries: Establish boundaries with the interrupter and make it clear that their interruptions are not acceptable. - Speak up: Use a firm yet polite tone and speak confidently to ensure that your voice is heard. Remember, your perspective is valuable. By addressing an interrupter you are showing up as a leader, setting an example that being interrupted isn't ok, and your voice will be heard. I am here to help. #shareyourperspective #speakconfidently #setboundaries