Interrupting: a bad habit a manager must get rid of

A good manager is someone capable of excellent communication with other people. This means, among other things, not interrupting. The problem with people who interrupt others is that they are often unaware of this bad habit or do not realise how annoying it can be. If you have ever had the misfortune of talking to someone who kept interrupting you, you well know how irritating it is. As a manager, you must show especially your team members that you are listening to them and are interested in their opinions. If you know you sometimes interrupt other people, here are a few tips on how to rid yourself of this bad habit.

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Prepare a plan in advance

Before talking to subordinates or colleagues, write down the points you want to cover, as well as situations that are likely to arise. When the other person is talking, make an occasional note of what you will want to say afterwards. You will thus stop yourself from speaking immediately and interrupting the other person for fear of forgetting something.

Do not be afraid of silence

The Psychology Today website suggests you should keep silent for two seconds before starting to speak. Do not start talking immediately. First of all, you will properly gather your thoughts. Second, you will make it clear that you are not just waiting for the other person to stop talking but also thinking about what is being said. Third, by keeping quiet for two seconds you make sure the other person really has stopped talking.

Work on solving your problem

The first and most important step is admitting you have a problem and trying actively to keep yourself from interrupting team members or business partners. Genuinely listen to what the other person is saying, think about it and only then react. Do not be afraid of silence. Many people try to talk immediately when the other person stops, but silence can be a very powerful and effective way of making your words carry more weight. Moreover, if you let the other person talk to the maximum, the way they communicate may give you more information than their reaction to your questions.

 

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Article source Psychology Today - a U.S. magazine and online community focused on psychology
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