Have you ever told a story or something important, and someone blurts out an interruption before you can finish? Interruptions usually appear without thought and create blurts that are frustrating to the one who is speaking yet are such blind spots to one interrupting.
One of the most common struggles in relationships is communication. Our language is sophisticated, and most of us are educated culturally and academically. Yet, committing social language errors without recognizing them is so easy. [Blind Spot] These communication errors are more likely to be recognized if they are pointed out immediately.
One of the most important things I talk about is safe listening. One of the first questions I ask in safe listening is, “Do you interrupt?” This question usually comes with a yes, while some may admit a little, others will vehemently disagree.
Pointing out errors I make in most situations creates a need for me to rationalize, minimize, or justify when just agreement would serve me better. I need to accept this feedback opportunity. When I interrupt, I tell the other, “Just be quiet. What you have to say is just not that important, and besides, you are wasting my time.” It could also be saying, “You are not important.” Either statement is caustic or erodes any opportunity to connect.
Interruptions are not necessarily done with malice, yet being right, arrogant, or frustrated comes across loud and clear and creates unhealthy conversations. Sometimes, I ask, “Do you have any idea what they were going to tell you?” If answered correctly, they will say no, yet occasionally, I hear, “I know exactly what they were going to say.”
Pointing out an interruption is necessary to teach others how to treat me with dignity and respect. Allowing interruptions is admitting it is okay and enabling them to reoccur.
Interruptions can disrupt the natural flow of conversation, cause feelings of disrespect or unimportance, and reflect power imbalances.
How about you? Do you interrupt, or do you allow interruptions?
Watch for the blind spots.
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