Dealing with a verbal bully who interrupts

Dealing with a verbal bully who interrupts

during an informal discussion

(After reading this article, please lets us know under comments if you know a way of dealing with a verbal bully that really works)

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Anyone who has been in the concrete jungle for more than five minutes soon learns two lessons fast:

Many very important decisions are made during informal meetings e.g. passage meetings, spur of the minute meetings, sudden meetings in offices or even the canteen etc.

Verbal bullies thrive during informal meetings.

Have you ever faced a situation where you were trying to make your point during one of these informal discussions and a verbal bully constantly interrupted you? Usually it would have happened at a meeting of two or more people (verbal bullies love an audience). I am sure you have - most of us have been there. It is very frustrating and annoying - especially if the meeting ended without you having had a chance to make your point.

But there is hope. There is a way to deal with the verbal bully.

And remember: A formal meeting with weak chairperson soon turns into an informal meeting with the verbal bully ruling the roost and the chairperson.

Here is a method of dealing with the interrupting bully effectively

Step 1

As the verbal bully interrupts, do not take your eyes off the person you are addressing and continue to address that person in a calm voice. You must not make eye contact with the interrupting bully.

If Step 1 does not stop the bully, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2

Simply raise the volume of your voice, making sure that you keep your eyes on the person you are addressing. You must not make eye contact with the interrupting bully.

If Step 2 does not stop the bully, proceed to Step 3.

Step 3

Keep your eye on the person you are addressing, raise your voice slightly, and raise your hand in a "stop sign" indicating to the interrupting bully to stop speaking.

At this stage, most interrupting bullies will keep quiet. However, if the bully continues to interrupt, proceed to Step 4.

Step 4

Stop speaking to the person you are addressing. Turn and face the interrupting bully face to face. Look the interrupting bully, directly in the eyes, and say "Would you mind keeping quiet until I finish?" This will silence almost all verbal bullies. When the verbal bully keeps quiet say "thank you" and continue to calmly make your point.

This strategy usually works. Your self-respect will be intact and you will gain the respect of the group and perhaps even the verbal bully.

Good luck!

Do you know of another way of dealing with a verbal bully that really works? Please share under comments.

Thanks