LEARN COMMUNICATION
If you had to identfy the most annoying communicaton habit ever, what would it be? Admitedly there are a lot of contenders, but most of us agree
that being interrupted is among the most irritatng. Today, you’re going to examine how ofen you interrupt other people, and then work on giving
your conversaton partners the tme and space they deserve.
Interruptng people is easy to do. For example, if you partcipate in a heated discussion, you might want to jump right in to exert your voice. If you’re
passionate about an idea, your enthusiasm might bubble to the surface.
But that’s where the challenge lies. Even if your ideas are excellent, your conversaton partner will be too annoyed to give them the atenton they
deserve if you interrupt. By your interrupton, you’re insinuatng that your thoughts and ideas are more important than theirs. As you know from
personal experience, interruptons derail your train of thought.
Interruptons also make someone feel disrespected. If someone values you and your ideas, they will at least have the courtesy to let you fnish speaking,
right? You need to apply the same principle when actvely listening to others. Interruptng can completely kill your chances of developing a good
relatonship with someone else, and that’s not an exaggeraton. If they feel as though you are more interested in steamrolling over them with your
personal point of view instead of getng to know them, they will start to withdraw from you. Here’s how to kick the interrupton habit:
1. Set targets and give yourself rewards: Set a realistc goal and choose a small reward as a suitable incentve. For example, you could promise yourself
that if you make it through the day interruptng people fewer than ten tmes, you will pick up your favorite magazine or candy bar on the way home.
2. Stck up signs: The simplest solutons can be the best! I keep a small stcky note on my computer monitor to remind me not to interrupt others. It
features a sketch of a closed mouth just beneath an ear. I glance at it when I’m on the phone or webcam. It reminds me that if I strive to grow my
relatonships – and my business – I need to let other people speak.