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Ask HN: How to deal with constantly getting cut off in work discussions?

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191–200 of 311 posts

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constantly getting cut off in work discussions?

#191
I say in a calm even voice... "Please Moira, I just need to finish this point"

Sometimes I say in the same voice... Hold on a tick Moira, I think Francis is trying to make a point.

Moira in our organisation is a meetings pest, she speaks without listening and speaks often.

Just be polite, don't let the conversation move on, and advocate for others who are spoken over. "I didn't hear Josh, Josh can you please repeat that"

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constantly getting cut off in work discussions?

#192
post #76

I have a problem cutting people off- I get way to excited about what I want to say and jump in. I really appreciate when people call me out and don't take it personally. I also try to work on it and try to help steer the conversation to other people who have been cut off when I see it happen. So IMO don't be afraid to politely just let someone know! If you don't feel comfortable during the meeting, maybe speak with t…

I wonder is some of you here recognizing own interrupting problem have got ADHD symptoms and diagnosis? Isn't it strongly correlated with Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive trait?

I have ADHD and I do this. I don't want to. I just do it without thinking about it. It's because if I have a thought worth sharing, I want to do it NOW... there's always the possibility I might forget it before I've had the chance to share it.

Also when I talk to someone who has ADHD it might sound strange to neurotypical people. The discussions are much faster and also less - well, I don't want to call it less boring. They are more exciting, but it does not mean that discussions with neurotypical people are boring.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constantly getting cut off in work discussions?

#193
post #2

Yes, it's common especially in places where it goes un-checked. One idea that can work to start to change this behavior is to verbalize when someone else is cut off. "Bob, it sounded like you were had something to add." If you start helping others get a word in some folks will start to get the message. Another, more direct approach, is feedback to those that keep cutting folks off. Finally, you can push for "retro" t…

I don't think it's best to think of this in terms of "safety." Interruption is a dark pattern. It enables the user of the pattern to gain more attention and get more "turns" at speaking, but does it at the expense of group members being able to express complicated or difficult concepts. It's a pattern which suppresses thought and information.

Totally agree it can be a dark pattern but also sometimes folks just don’t realize their behaviors consequences on those around them. To clarify, pushing the org in the direction of fostering “physiological safety” allows folks to bring things like this up without fear of reprisal. (Google for studies on the term) When issues are surfaced they are more likely to be addressed and the company or team can become more effective since more folks have an opportunity to contribute fully rather than shutting down to protect themselves as the original post describes. Turns out effective human interaction is good for business.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constantly getting cut off in work discussions?

#194
"This is something that I never had to deal in previous work environments prior to moving to the Bay Area so I'm inclined to think it's something specific to this area." I think you have been lucky before. I've never known anything else; I just got used to huge detours by bad decisions.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constantly getting cut off in work discussions?

#195
post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

" Always finish what you have to say even if others start trying to talk over you. If you stop it makes it look like what you have to say is not important. " And after the two of you have talked over each other for a few seconds, they'll stop and say something like, "I'm sorry, what were you saying?" You may think it's an invitation to explain what you were trying to say. It isn't. And if you're like me, at this poin…

I used to try this with my manager when he would interrupt me. Sometimes we would go on talking over each other for a full 10 ish seconds. That's a really really long time for two people to talk over each other and not stop. So uncomfortable, but I found it so rude for him to talk over me and he did it so frequently that in the end I just refused to stop talking. I'm naturally shy and soft spoken, so it's not that I…

IDK if this will help, but I hope it will:

It sounds like you were forced into a fight with a manager over whether your opinions, ideas and thoughts were worth hearing - to him.

Although he had an official position, he was not acting with decent authority: so his judgement of your ideas has no force or truth, but is just his.

Your ideas, opinions and thoughts themselves were never at stake. They existed before that manager, and they existed after. They exist now.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constantly getting cut off in work discussions?

#196
Sounds like...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expressions_of_dominance

Solution: moderation. When a person is interrupted, the moderator interjects and asks the interrupted person to finish the idea.

If the interruptions persist, adjourn the meeting.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constantly getting cut off in work discussions?

#197
post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do it too & I hate it. My worry is that if I don't say it immediately I'll forget my comment/argument. I've tried scribbling it down and raise them later. But not very consistent in this process.

I tell myself it's always better my idea goes unheard than someone else not get to share theirs. If it's really important, I'll remember it.

That is very nice way of articulating it

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constantly getting cut off in work discussions?

#199
As uncomfortable as it may seem at first be FIRM. A louder-than-you were-just-speaking next few words or a simple “hang on John, I wasn’t finished.” Can quite quickly change how people perceive you and what you re willing to tolerate.

I can relate because I was taught to respect people and wait for them to finish what they were saying but in some environments they’ll just talk continuously as a tactic to prevent you from saying your opinion and dominating the discussion.

Re: Ask HN: How to deal with constantly getting cut off in work discussions?

#200

Sometimes it's unfortunately just a personality thing. There are people that are notorious for just needing to be the smartest person in the room, and if they aren't checked, it's just going to be a sucky place to work. I've had limited good luck dealing with them by asking a lot of questions, Socrates-style. Really pinning them down. Particularly if I have an opposing solution that answers my own questions better. T…

It's possible they are marshalling their thoughts. They haven't yet got them ready when you start speaking, but they go with whatever they've got before they lose it.

You could try an experiment one time, of waiting them out - like for 1 minute (an incredibly long silence, but a cheap experiment) - and discover what they do.

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