interrupting

There are some valid reasons to interrupt someone when they're speaking. There's a fire in the wastebasket behind her; he's about to go on stage with his fly unzipped, or there is duck poop right in the path of their next footstep. But, most of the time, we have a habit of interrupting friends and colleagues in a less charming way. Get real on why you might be interrupting. And understand the message your interruption sends your conversation partner.

• “I'm smarter than you, and you clearly need my help finishing your thought;”

• “What you have to say isn't as important as what I have to say;”

• I already know what you're going to say;

• I'm right (and you're wrong);

• I'm impatient and just can't be bothered to wait for you to finish.

Most of the time, the people we're chatting with will forgive us for the interruption— “Wait! I have a great idea!”—but this is an urgent message from your interrupting sponsor with a suggestion.

Watch what happens when, instead of thinking about the next great argument you’re going to make in response to the thing they haven’t even finished saying yet (whew!), you trust the conversation and offer the gift of listening.

Question the real motivation for the interruption.