What to Do When Someone Talks Over You

As a computer technical support engineer, you likely find yourself in many meetings and support sessions where you’re expected to share your expertise and offer solutions to complex technical problems. However, when someone talks over you, getting your point across and ensuring your voice is heard can be challenging. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what to do when someone talks over you and provide some tips to help you handle the situation effectively.

Obviously, the techniques you use will vary based on the other person. For example, you should always treat the other person with dignity and respect, regardless of their title or position within the company, but you’ll want to be especially respectful when dealing with your boss, a senior executive, or a client.

Be assertive

When someone talks over you, it’s essential to be assertive and assert your right to speak. Use assertive communication techniques to let the person know that you need to finish speaking before they can respond. For example, you could say, “Excuse me, I need to finish my thought before you respond.” This lets the person know that you’re not willing to let them talk over you and that you expect to be heard.

Listen actively

While it can be frustrating when someone talks over you, it’s important to listen actively and try to understand their perspective. Avoid interrupting or arguing, as this can escalate the situation and make it more challenging to resolve. Instead, take the time to listen carefully to what the person is saying and try to find common ground. By demonstrating that you’re willing to listen and work collaboratively, you can help build trust and respect.

Address the behavior

If someone talks over you repeatedly, it’s essential to address the behavior directly. Explain that it’s not productive or respectful to talk over others and let them know that you’re there to help and that you want to work collaboratively to find a solution. By addressing the behavior directly, you can help establish boundaries and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.

Set ground rules

To avoid the problem of someone talking over you, it’s helpful to set ground rules for meetings or support sessions. At the outset of the session, explain that everyone will have an opportunity to speak and that interrupting is not allowed. This sets the tone for the session and lets everyone know that their contributions are valued and respected.

Stay calm

When someone talks over you, it’s natural to feel frustrated or angry. However, it’s important to stay calm and composed, even if the person continues to interrupt. Take deep breaths and focus on maintaining a professional demeanor. By staying calm and composed, you can help deescalate the situation and prevent it from spiraling out of control.

Redirect the conversation

If someone continues to talk over you, it’s helpful to redirect the conversation back to the original topic. Repeat your point if necessary, and calmly but firmly insist on being heard. By redirecting the conversation and staying focused on the task at hand, you can help keep the meeting or support session productive.

In conclusion, when someone talks over you, it can be challenging to get your point across and ensure that your voice is heard. However, by being assertive, listening actively, addressing the behavior, setting ground rules, staying calm, and redirecting the conversation as needed, you can handle the situation effectively and ensure that the meeting or support session is productive. By following these tips, you can help build trust and respect with your clients and colleagues, and establish yourself as a reliable and effective computer technical support engineer.

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