4 Ways to Stop Getting Interrupted While Talking

Summary

In this video, Gennaro Romagnoli, a psychologist and psychotherapist, shares effective communication strategies to avoid being interrupted while speaking. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, emotional management, and assertiveness in overcoming interruptions. Through subtle non-verbal cues like showing the palm of the hand and adjusting intonation, along with direct techniques such as politely asking to finish speaking, viewers can improve their communication skills. The video also highlights the role of managing emotions and building confidence to handle interruptions assertively, ultimately enhancing personal and professional interactions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Acknowledge that interruptions are a common issue in communication and prepare yourself mentally for them.
• 😀 The first step to preventing interruptions is to stop fearing them. Anxiety over being interrupted can make you speak too fast or too loudly, increasing the likelihood of interruptions.
• 😀 Accept that interruptions may happen, even from well-meaning individuals. Recognizing this helps you stay calm and maintain control.
• 😀 Assertiveness is key: calmly tell people when they interrupt that you still need to finish speaking, using techniques like 'Excuse me, I need to finish.'
• 😀 Non-verbal communication plays a vital role. One effective technique is showing your palm to indicate that the conversation isn’t over yet.
• 😀 Vocal control is also important. Adjust your tone by using 'blue pauses' (clear, conclusive) to indicate you're finishing, or 'green pauses' (extended, unsure) to signal you're still talking.
• 😀 Keeping your mouth slightly open during pauses can signal to others that you're not done speaking, preventing them from interrupting.
• 😀 Don’t be afraid to communicate directly and calmly when someone is interrupting you. Directly say, 'Excuse me, I need a moment to finish,' without escalating the situation.
• 😀 Using a pre-established structure or list (e.g., 'I have three points to discuss') can help you manage the flow of conversation and prevent interruptions.
• 😀 Remember that even with all these techniques, you can't eliminate interruptions completely. The goal is to manage the situation effectively and keep the flow of your communication intact.

Q & A

What is the main challenge addressed in the video?

The main challenge addressed in the video is how to prevent being interrupted while speaking.

Why is it important to have the right mindset when dealing with interruptions?

Having the right mindset is important because fearing interruptions leads to speaking more quickly or louder, which makes it more likely for others to interrupt. Accepting that interruptions may happen helps in managing this situation calmly.

What are the two acts of courage mentioned in the video?

The two acts of courage are: 1) accepting that interruptions may happen, and 2) having the courage to communicate when you're being interrupted.

How can managing emotions help in avoiding interruptions?

Managing emotions helps because when you stay calm and assertive, you're less likely to let interruptions throw you off track, and you can address them without escalating the situation.

What is the first non-verbal technique to prevent interruptions?

The first non-verbal technique is showing the palm of your hand gently while speaking, which signals to the other person that you are still speaking and need a moment to finish.

How does voice intonation affect interruptions?

Voice intonation plays a key role in signaling whether you're finished speaking or not. Using a descending, conclusive tone (blue pauses) suggests you're done, while a more dragged-out tone (green pauses) indicates you're still talking.

What should you do during pauses to reduce the likelihood of interruptions?

During pauses, keeping your mouth slightly open and avoiding closing it immediately helps signal that you're still thinking or haven't finished, thus reducing the chances of being interrupted.

How does saying 'Excuse me, I need to finish' help in preventing interruptions?

This technique works when said calmly and assertively. It communicates to the person interrupting that you still need to finish speaking, while maintaining respect and avoiding escalating the situation.

Why is the final technique of presupposing the points you're about to make effective?

The final technique, which involves stating the points you'll cover (e.g., 'First, second, and third'), helps establish a framework, making it clear that you're still in control of the conversation and that the others should wait until you're finished.

What advice is given for dealing with friends or people who habitually interrupt?

The advice is to use metacommunication, such as lovingly pointing out their tendency to interrupt. For example, saying 'You’re interrupting me again' can help make them aware of their behavior in a non-confrontational way.