Steps to Address Being Talked Over in Conference Calls
Being talked over during a conference call can be frustrating and undermine your confidence. Fortunately, with the right strategies, you can regain control of the conversation, make your voice heard, and foster more respectful communication at work. Here’s how to effectively address this challenge.
1. Pause and Reclaim Your Space
When someone interrupts, don’t feel pressured to stay silent. Pause for a moment, then confidently reintroduce your point by saying, for example, “I’d like to finish my thought.” This signals assertiveness without sounding aggressive.
2. Use Clear Verbal Cues
Conference call communication often lacks visual cues, so it helps to state phrases like “I’d like to add to that” or “Before we move on, let me complete my point.” These transitions make it clear that you are not finished speaking.
3. Enlist Supportive Colleagues
If the issue persists, consider asking a trusted coworker to help redirect the conversation back to you when interruptions occur. This fosters collaborative accountability in group discussions.
4. Address the Group Etiquette
If being talked over happens frequently, suggest that the team agree on simple conference call norms such as waiting for a pause before speaking or using the “raise hand” feature in virtual platforms.
5. Follow Up with Written Communication
If your points were not heard, reinforce them by summarizing key contributions in a follow-up email. This ensures your ideas are documented and recognized by the team.