#128 Interruptions

Andrea shares what the research says about interruptions, how to respond to being interrupted, and advice for how you can effectively interrupt.

Resources

* Sally Farley “Nonverbal Reactions to Conversational Interruptions” (2010)

Connect with Andrea & Talk About Talk:

Website: TalkAboutTalk.com

LinkedIn: Andrea and TalkAboutTalk

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YouTube Channel: @talkabouttalkyoutube

TRANSCRIPT

Wow. Do you remember that?  The year was 2020 and Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris was debating with, or should I say being interrupted by – her opponent, Mike Pence.

Based on some of the research you’re going to hear in a minute, this scenario is not uncommon.  AND, based on the research, I’m guessing Pence was encouraged by his communications staff to interrupt her. Similarly, Harris was likely coached to not stand for it. All with good reason.

Are you ready to talk interruptions?

Welcome to TAT episode #128, INTERRUPTIONS.  In this episode, you’re going to learn about the various types of interruptions, what the research says about interruptions, how you can respond to being interrupted, and yes even some advice for how you can effectively interrupt. 

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Dr. Andrea Wojnicki and I’m YOUR executive communication coach. Please call me Andrea!  I’m the founder of Talk About Talk, where I coach communication skills to ambitious executives to help them elevate their communication, their confidence and their clarity, so they’ll get noticed for the right reasons and ultimately get promoted!  

If you go to the Talk About Talk.com website, you’ll find many resources to help you out. There’s information there about one-on-one coaching, online courses, corporate workshops, group coaching bootcamps, the archive of this bi-weekly podcast, AND, I really hope you’ll sign up for the Talk About Talk newsletter. That newsletter is your chance to get communication coaching from me every week.

OK, Interruptions.

Yes, By the way, I fully recognize the irony here of me speaking into a microphone for this podcast.  You can’t interrupt me! LOL

Just so you know where we’re headed, we’re going to cover 4 things:

1. Types of interruptions

2. What the research says – this is where it gets good

3. What to do when you are interrupted

4. Last: How to interrupt when you feel you must

Types of interruptions 

Given that you’re taking the time to listen to or watch this podcast, I’m guessing you have a certain premonition about what interrupting is. But I just want to remind all of us that there are MANY different types of interruptions.

An easy way to think about the types of interruptions is to categorize them – categorize them in terms of the source of the interruption. So there’re interruptions from PEOPLE – others and even ourselves.  And then ther’re “NON-PEOPLE” interruptions, for example from our technology or from the environment. It could be an alarm or a reminder set on your or someone else’s phone. Or it could be a fire truck driving by with a loud siren. Or the crash of thunder. Or some other noise.  These things all distract and interrupt us.  They interrupt our thoughts and our conversations. Some of these things we can control. Of course,