Interrupting frequent speakers elegantly and effectively

The fact that some people like to talk too much and for a long time can be quite annoying (not only on holidays). Having your say is not easy at all.

In my current video tip, I have therefore taken up a participant's question about what to do if people don't let you have your say: "How do I elegantly interrupt when someone just won't stop talking?"
See and hear my answer in the video here – three concrete tips included:

How do I have my say with frequent speakers?

Maybe you know this situation, you are part of a discussion group, many loud words and sentences are spoken. Especially those friends or colleagues who are naturally a little louder, more expressive, perhaps even more extroverted, keep their say.

If you are not one of the loud but rather one of the reserved contemporaries, it will be a challenge to contribute something to the entertainment. Forcing yourself into the discussion does not seem like a good solution to you.

Have your say elegantly in three steps

Therefore, read a tried and tested article today rhetorical Tools of the trade on how to have your say without much effort and in a pleasant way - and take the lead from the frequent speakers.

Step 1: Listen briefly to what is being said

… and grasp the core of the statement or narrative. Avoid the "Yes, but..." mistake! Because often the statements of frequent speakers provoke contradiction. As soon as you want to interrupt with a "Yes, but, I also have an idea!", you only provoke our frequent talker into an even more energetic torrent of words.

Do it differently, listen patiently for a moment.

Step 2: Briefly pick up on what the other person said

Even if it does not correspond to your opinion or view at all, beat the frequent talker with your own weapons. Briefly follow up on what you have heard and nod attentively and repeat what you have just heard.

If you've just heard a long explanation of why something can't work out at all, say:

• "If you, dear colleague Huber, are saying right now that it can never work out like this in life ..."

If you are listening to a long story about the last Bali vacation, say:

• "If you had such difficulties with food in Bali ..."

Step 3: Now ask a question in the room, to which you will answer yourself

On the subject of "can't work", the question could be:

• „… what did we do last year to find a solution?" Attention: Do not address the question to the frequent speaker. Ask the question in order to answer it constructively yourself. This means that it is now your turn to speak.

The question about the Bali vacation could be:

• „… when will the restaurants officially reopen here?"

Here, leaps of thought are not only allowed, but desired. The chance of establishing a new thread of conversation is very high.

Beware, body language!

If you feel the inner desire to interrupt someone, it will almost certainly lead you into a body position facing the person you are talking to. This "confrontational" spatial position intensifies the energy of speech in the other.

As soon as you pick up on what someone has said, turn a little sideways.

• Join forces: Turn slightly to the side and position the topic of conversation as the third point in the room using body language. Viewed from above, you form a triangle from two conversation partners and the topic. Behind the topic – which is now considered by both of them – a direction in the room unconsciously emerges in which solutions can later manifest themselves.

Having your say without forcing yourself into a conversation, that was the topic of my practical tip today. I am very much looking forward to your experiences in the comments!

Warm greetings from Salzburg's Old Town, yours sincerely,

Arno Fischbacher

 

 

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Read Also:

• Attention from your audience from the first word
• Spoken advertising – does it ring a bell?

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The author:

Arno Fischbacher is a business voice coach and rhetoric expert, speaker and author. He prepares executives and employees of the top companies in Germany and Austria for negotiations, presentations and media appearances. Fischbacher is the author of several books, past president of the German Speakers Association (GSA) Austria, chairman of the European Network of Voice Experts, stimme.at.

If you would like to learn more about specific training opportunities with Arno Fischbacher, make an appointment here free information talk.

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