How to Manage Interruptions at Work

Managing interruptions in meetings – and stepping in without being a jerk

Hellen Cooke/ Stocksy

Being interrupted at work sucks. Being talked over or ignored in meetings doesn’t just harm collaboration – it’s as if your voice doesn’t matter.

Women, people of color, and young employees are the most frequent victims of interruptions. Male leaders are the most common offenders – out of 48 interruptions, men initiated 46, a study shows.

Seniority and status offer little protection. In a recent interview, US Vice President Kamala Harris was interrupted just 11 seconds into answering the first question. The journalist interrupted her twice as much as when he interviewed her male opponent.

Interruptions are not just disrupting and annoying – they reflect deeper power dynamics.

Female justices on the U.S. Supreme Court also struggle to secure equal airtime, routinely facing more interruptions than their male colleagues.

But not all interruptions are necessarily bad or ill-intended. While many stem from disrespect or entitlement, people sometimes interrupt in good faith. …