How to Stop Being Interrupted at Work (Without Losing Your Voice)
Ask Emma: “What do I do when I keep getting interrupted at work?”
I feel like I can’t finish a sentence in meetings. People jump in, talk over me, or move the conversation on before I’ve landed my point. I don’t want to sound rude or defensive but it’s starting to knock my confidence. What’s the best way to handle this?
Serlin™ Solution: How to Handle Interruptions with Grace and Presence
Being interrupted at work can feel incredibly disheartening. Over time, it chips away at your confidence, makes you question your value, and can lead to you showing up smaller even when you have something important to say.
Here’s the good news: this is one of the most common communication challenges in the workplace, and it’s rarely a reflection of your ideas or your worth.
In many work environments, interruptions happen because conversations move quickly, people think out loud, or someone is eager to contribute. That doesn’t mean it feels good but it does change how useful it is to respond with frustration or silence.
The real goal isn’t to talk louder or push back with force.
It’s to hold your space calmly and confidently, so your voice lands without needing to raise it.
That’s where one of the core tools we teach for navigating conflict at work comes in: ARTful Interruptions.
The ARTFUL Interruptions Tool
ARTful Interruptions is a Serlin Method™ tool designed to help you handle interruptions at work in a way that feels respectful, grounded and clear for you and for the people around you.
It has three steps: Anchor – Recognise – Turn Back
1. Anchor Yourself
When someone interrupts you in a meeting, it’s easy to feel flustered, silenced, or rushed.
Before responding outwardly, anchor yourself inwardly.
Take a breath. Ground yourself. Remind yourself:
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This isn’t necessarily personal
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They may simply be excited about their idea
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You are allowed to finish your thought
That brief pause gives you the emotional space to respond with intention rather than reacting on autopilot.
2. Recognise the Other Person
Once you’re grounded, the next step is to acknowledge the person who interrupted you.
This isn’t about giving up your space. It’s about keeping the dynamic warm and collaborative, so the conversation doesn’t turn defensive.
You might say:
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“That’s a great point.”
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“I hear what you’re saying.”
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“I like where you’re going with this.”
Recognition helps the other person feel heard which often reduces the urge for them to push further.
3. Turn the Conversation Back
Now you gently guide the conversation back to your point so you can finish what you were saying.
This is often the moment people worry about sounding rude but clarity doesn’t need to be harsh.
Try phrases like:
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“Let me just finish this thought.”
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“Hold that for one second.”
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“One moment – I’m nearly done.”
Once you’ve finished, you can actively invite them back in:
“Now, what were you going to say?”
You’re not shutting anyone down – you’re leading the rhythm of the conversation.
How to Practise ARTful Interruptions at Work
The next time you’re interrupted in a meeting or conversation, try this in the moment:
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Anchor with a steady breath
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Recognise the other person’s intention
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Turn back and finish your thought clearly
The shift is subtle but powerful. It communicates presence, confidence and leadership, without needing to dominate the room.
Used consistently, ARTful Interruptions doesn’t just help you stop being interrupted at work – it helps you own your space in a way that feels natural, collaborative and strong.
Ask Emma at the Communication Clinic
This question comes from Ask Emma at the Communication Clinic – a space where real communication challenges are explored and met with practical Serlin™ Solutions. If you’re navigating a communication challenge – whether it’s interruptions, difficult dynamics, sensitive conversations, or moments where you want to express yourself more clearly and confidently – you’re warmly invited to submit a question here. Selected questions may be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
And if these situations are starting to affect how you show up at work, our Navigating Conflict course is designed to help. This course focuses on developing the language, tools and presence needed to handle difficult interactions with clarity and confidence without losing calm or voice.
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