Don’t interrupt me!

Though this is a simple concept, I feel that its so simple that some forget while in the work atmosphere. Speaking and listening is a give and take relationship, but more often then not while listening to those who have superiority over us it is the more respected action to take. What I have realized over the years is that even outside the workplace it is more valued to listen to others. The more intellectual individuals keep all ears open and let others talk. You take in more and become more knowledgable about everything. Even if you have no experience in the 9 to 5 world, this is the best quality an employee can posses and reflects upon our social skills, which in my opinion outweigh almost everything.

My neices are terrible about interrupting. They walk up to an adult conversation and scream someone’s name until they get a response. They interrupt each other and ignore what the other has to say. They interrupt their mother when she explains something to them and every time it ends with an irritated adult and a child who learned nothing from their question. But this is only a childish thing to do, right? Something only a child would do, right? Wrong. Interruption occurs far too often.
Interrupting is the quickest way to show someone that you don’t care about what they have to say. In any work enviroment, you cannot work as a one man show. There is very little opportunity to work alone and it would be unwise to do so, anyway. To be able to work with your team of coworkers, share and improve ideas, and improve your work enviroment is as necessary as the air we breath. In an ever changing and fast paced world, sharing ideas and working as a team is the best option, like that phrase “two heads are better than one”. So, slow down and listen to the people around you. They were, after all, hired because they’re qualified and your employer sees potential in them as well as you. Utilize the minds that surround you and pick their brains. Bounce ideas off of them and listen to their responses. If you wait contently it will not go unnoticed. Listening is something every person needs and respects. If you don’t interrupt your co-workers or your boss they will value you more and most likely involve you in the opportunities they encounter. To not interrupt is a trait envied by many and shows control and patience, making yourself more valuable to your company and your friends.

It’s hard for someone who has never worked before to grasp the skills required for working. But the most important skill in any work is listening. One has to know to listen to their superior and obey them, to a certain limit. Why do I say to a certain limit? One’s job is to follow and obey every instruction given by their boss, however what sets you apart from being a clerk, to stepping up in the ladder is to have the initiative to improve the work you’re given, and suggest manners to do so. But it has to be done in a polite manner as described in this lesson.

I recently just started a new job so this advice really does come in handy. Personally, I like to learn as much about the company as I can or whatever I am working on before I even ask questions, or let alone take it to my boss. It shows your employer that you can be independent. However, as a last resort I may turn to my boss if I have exhausted all my other options. It is also important to know when is the right time to interrupt. If your boss is super busy or the situation isn’t a dire emergency then I wait until the perfect opportunity presents itself. And always remember to be polite and respectful, because remember you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

I can definitly relate to this because in a previous position, I had a very long winded boss. I remember one specific time he was telling me about the week coming up, some work related and some not. At the same time, I had my hands full of files and notes, the phone was ringing off the hook and there was a client waiting in the lobby. AHHH! I just wanted to scream “SHUT UP” but of course I didn’t. During a pause, I said “Sir, can we continue this in a moment? I need to get the phone”. He didn’t seem to mind because I was ending the conversation to get back to work. In retrospect, I can’t think of a better way to handle that situation. I think it’s all about tone and timing.

I have found that you can very easily stop a person in mid sentence by handing them something to look at or asking them a question or both. these are interruptions in the most technical sense but they are often not received that way.

I do interrupt my boss sometimes. He tends to repeat the same things over and over again and then reproach me for making him repeat himself. So, when I dare to interrupt, it’s to finish his sentence. For me it’s a mean to say “I got you”.