My Employees Keep Interrupting Me

… and two other tricky workplace dilemmas.

EXPERT OPINION BY ALISON GREEN, INC.COM COLUMNIST @ASKAMANAGER

Illustration: Inc; Photo: Getty Images

Inc.com columnist Alison Green answers questions about workplace and management issues—everything from how to deal with a micromanaging boss to how to talk to someone on your team about body odor.

Here’s a roundup of answers to three questions from readers.

1. My employees keep interrupting me

I don’t like being interrupted when I’m speaking, but it seems that everyone I manage interrupts me when I’m in the middle of speaking, even including a brand new employee who is constantly finishing my statements! In the past, I’ve said things such as “what I was saying was…” or “hang on, I wasn’t quite done” and it works at that moment but not long-term. How can I let people know that I don’t appreciate being interrupted without being rude myself?

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You’re in an excellent position to do it as their manager! The language you’ve used in the moment is good, as is “please let me finish.”

But if it keeps happening, then after one of those interruptions you should say, “You’re probably not aware of this, but you interrupt me a lot, and I need you to hear all of what I’m saying! Can you make sure you’ve let me finish my thought before you jump in?” If it feels right for the situation, like with your new hire, you could add, “I appreciate that you’re enthusiastic about the job!”

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