How to respond when someone interrupts you at work

You’re in the middle of explaining why the launch date got pushed back, and just as you’re getting to the important part, a coworker jumps in with their own idea. Suddenly, everyone’s attention shifts, and your point is left dangling, unfinished. It’s frustrating because you didn’t get to finish making your point, and now it’s like it never happened.

In meetings, staying calm and simple can really help. If someone interrupts you, just pause for a moment or gently remind them you’re still talking. You can say something like, “Let me finish, then you can jump in.” This way, you’re being nice to the other person and still in charge of the conversation. But if the same person keeps interrupting, it’s a good idea to talk to them about it after the meeting. This can help fix the problem and stop it from happening again. You just need to figure out if it’s a one-time thing or if they always do it, and handle each one differently.

Tell accidental overlap from a repeated pattern

You know how it goes - you’re on a video call and just as you’re wrapping up what you want to say, someone jumps in and starts talking. It’s like they didn’t even realize you were still speaking. This often happens because of a delay in the audio, but the good news is it’s an easy fix. All it takes is a quick “go ahead” or “please, finish what you were saying” to get the conversation back on track. It’s not a huge deal, just a small interruption that can be easily resolved with a brief pause, allowing the other person to keep talking without feeling like they cut you off.

Dealing with someone who constantly interrupts you in meetings or steals your ideas can be really infuriating. You try to get a word in, but they just keep talking, and sometimes they even repeat what you said, passing it off as their own brilliant idea. When this keeps happening, it’s a good idea to start keeping a record of what’s going on - just the facts, like the date of the meeting and what was being discussed. Don’t bother trying to figure out their motives, just focus on documenting the incidents. You never know when you might need this information if you decide to take it up with someone. It’s often better to have a paper trail, so to speak.

Hold your place in the moment

Speak calmly and choose your words carefully. For example, you could say something like:

When you’re in a video meeting, a handy tip to grab someone’s attention is to unmute and say their name - it can help you get through the delay. If you start talking at the same time as someone else, just say “you go first, then I’ll wrap up” - it’s a polite way to handle the mix-up and shows you’ve still got something to say.

Illustrative example: an accidental overlap on video

1. Dana

   So testing starts on the 14th, and the one thing we still need is...

2. Lee

   Oh, sorry, I thought you were done.

3. Dana

   You go first, then I'll wrap up.

4. Lee

   Just wanted to ask if the 14th is firm.

5. Dana

   It is. And the last thing we need is sign-off on the test plan.

When you finally get a chance to speak again, take a moment to acknowledge what the other person just said. This helps you stay focused and shows that you were actually listening. A good way to do this is to repeat back what they said in your own words - like a quick recap. Practitioner guidance on listening from Harvard’s Program on Negotiation¹ encourages paraphrasing and acknowledging other people’s points. That guidance covers listening in general and doesn’t test replies to interruptions, so treat the scripts here as editorial examples. By doing this, you can show that you get what they’re saying and then easily get back to your own point. It can be a useful way to deal with interruptions and keep the conversation going.

A short meeting exchange

Here’s a fictional example of how that can sound in a team meeting.

How it could go

1. Priya

   The issue with the vendor has really slowed us down - we're now looking at a two-week delay, and that's had a ripple effect on our testing schedule, pushing it back too, which means...

2. Marcus

   Honestly, we should just switch vendors.

3. Priya

   That's a good point, Marcus. Let me just finish up this timeline, and then we can definitely talk about switching as an option.

4. Marcus

   Fair enough.

Priya acknowledges the idea and tells Marcus they’ll discuss it once she finishes the timeline, without calling him out in front of everyone. If Marcus keeps pushing his luck, she might say something like “Hold on, let me finish” and then stop for a second before keeping going. This way, she’s making it clear where the line is without being mean or aggressive. By doing this, she’s able to stay in charge of the conversation and show Marcus that she won’t let him cut her off. It’s a soft but firm way to handle things, and it helps her keep the conversation on track.

If you already let it slide

You might freeze and let the moment pass, but that’s alright. The discussion can still move forward, and you can always circle back to the topic later on in the meeting or even after it’s wrapped up. There are a few ways to deal with this kind of situation, including these two illustrative options:

You’re just finishing what you started, so there’s no need to apologize or make a big deal out of it.

The repair skips the apology and the complaint and simply finishes what you started.

Raise a repeated pattern privately

When issues with someone keep coming up, try a quiet chat with them one-on-one. Just focus on the specific things that happened and what you want to see change going forward. A fictional example:

When talking to someone, try to be straightforward and genuine. Make one clear request and see how they respond. For instance, if you’re chatting with your boss, you might say, “What do you think about our meetings so far?” This shows you value their thoughts and want to improve things. Good communication is all about being considerate and clear. It’s not that hard to do, and it can make a big difference. Just be honest and ask for their opinion - it’s a simple way to start a conversation and find out what they think.

Know when to stop pushing

When you need something, just ask once and be straightforward about it. If the other person is okay with it, let them handle any changes that need to be made. But if they blow you off or nothing happens, don’t keep bothering them about it. Instead, go to someone who’s in charge, like your boss or the person leading the meeting. Ask them to help get things back on track, maybe by taking turns sharing updates or having someone guide the conversation to keep it organized. This way, everyone gets a chance to speak up and you can move forward. It’s all about finding a way to communicate that works for everyone, so you can get things done.

Don’t sweat it if it’s just a one-time deal, but make sure you get your point across before you let it go.

One-off or pattern?

Someone overlaps you once, often from audio delay+

Use a quick handoff, then finish your point.

The same person keeps talking over you across meetings+

Keep a factual record and raise it with them privately with one clear request.

You asked once and nothing changed+

Ask your boss or the meeting lead for help with structure, such as taking turns for updates.

When you’re getting ready for your next meeting, pick a phrase that feels right for you and practice saying it out loud a few times. That way, if someone cuts you off, you can just use your phrase to jump back into the conversation. It’s a pretty basic trick, but it can really make a difference in getting your point across and making sure you’re heard.

Sources and references

1. Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. Negotiation Skills Daily: listening skills for maximum success.