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 What is the best way for me to interrupt during a meeting so that I’m heard and can make contributions to the discussion?

Gregorio, Italy

 Politeness and courtesy are always important in business, but sometimes in a meeting you need to interrupt the conversation.  

You might need to interrupt if other meeting participants:

• misinterpret your data/content
• misunderstand what you have said and build on that misunderstanding in order to make decisions
• conduct side conversations while you are talking
• interrupt your presentation and prevent you from making your point
• express viewpoints [theoretical, technical, strategic] with which you strongly disagree

Following are some polite language patterns for interrupting others in a meeting:  

• “Excuse me, I would like to add that…”
• “I need to disagree here. I think that …”
• “Just a minute. I would like to add/say…”
• “[Name], I do not see the data in the way you do. Let me explain.”
• “I hear your argument/idea/input, and now I’d like to respond.”
• “We are getting off the agenda. I would like to continue with my presentation.”
• “I cannot agree with what you are saying. Here is how I see it.”
• “Here is a thought. I suggest we …”
• “Sorry, but I must interrupt. That is not what I said. I said…”
• “I feel we are talking in circles. Here is what I suggest we do next.”

 In summary:

• It takes some courage and determination to interrupt others in a dynamic meeting, but by using appropriate language, you can be heard and become an important contributor to the meeting.

Tip of the month :

Comma Usage:

Commas have many uses, but a general principle is to think of commas as separating the structural elements of a sentence into manageable segments. 

• Independent clauses:  Use a comma to separate independent clauses when they are joined by the following conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, so, for, yet

• Ariana had a short break before her presentation, so she decided to practice her speech one last time.

• Elements in a series:  Use a comma to separate three or more elements in a series:

• The new union leader promised to fight for greater employee benefits, higher salaries, and a healthier work environment.

• Coordinate adjectives:  Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives describing the same noun:

• Ryan was overjoyed to receive a cool, lightweight, state-of-the-art cell phone for his birthday.

 Some common mistakes:

• Use of comma in independent clauses not separated by a conjunction:
• INCORRECT:  “Jose is the company’s youngest CEO, he is more than capable of running the business.”
• CORRECT: “Jose is the company’s youngest CEO. He is more than capable of running the business.”

• Use of comma to separate non-coordinate adjectives:
• INCORRECT: “The advertising agency’s two, youngest clerks were the most productive.”
• CORRECT: “The advertising agency’s two youngest clerks were the most productive.”

In future newsletters, we’ll have more tips for improving your writing.

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