{"id":7018,"date":"2023-01-10T14:33:07","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T14:33:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/?p=7018"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:16:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T15:16:15","slug":"how-to-interrupt-politely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/how-to-interrupt-politely\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Interrupt Politely in a Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Outside of situations when they\u2019re struggling with a presentation, rarely does anyone like to be on the receiving end of a <em>&#8220;sorry to interrupt&#8221;<\/em> during a meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Probably the only more awkward feeling is being the one who has to utter these words. You know you\u2019ll immediately have all eyes on you and the pressure to provide a reasonable explanation just adds to your discomfort.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even in the age of <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/video-conferencing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">video conferencing<\/a> tools with options to raise a (virtual) hand, it can still come across as impolite and too disruptive to interrupt people speaking in a meeting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, how does one gather courage and go about this politely and professionally?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep reading to find out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When it\u2019s appropriate to interrupt someone in a meeting,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>General rules for interrupting politely in a meeting,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examples of how to politely interrupt in specific situations in a meeting, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to prevent or minimize interruptions in meetings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-to-interrupt-politely-in-a-meeting-cover.png\" alt=\"How to interrupt politely in a meeting - cover\" class=\"wp-image-7053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-to-interrupt-politely-in-a-meeting-cover.png 1200w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-to-interrupt-politely-in-a-meeting-cover-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-to-interrupt-politely-in-a-meeting-cover-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-to-interrupt-politely-in-a-meeting-cover-768x384.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"general-rules-on-how-to-politely-interrupt-in-a-meeting\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">General rules on how to politely interrupt in a meeting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the reason for interrupting, you\u2019re bound to be in a situation where you\u2019ll need to cut in on a conversation in a meeting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to ensure as professional and as polite an approach as possible, you\u2019d want to read the next few paragraphs carefully.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the following lines, we\u2019ll outline some general guidelines on how to politely interrupt that apply to all reasons and meeting scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"banner banner-dark pumble-gradient-features\">\n    <div class=\"banner-text lg:pr-[6rem]\">\n        <span class=\"h4 text-lg translation-block mb-0\">Improve work communication<\/span>\n        <p class=\"translation-block mt-1 mb-3\">Strengthen your business communication and collaboration process with Pumble by CAKE.com.<\/p>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-buttons d-flex gap-4 align-items-center translation-block justify-content-center justify-content-sm-start\">\n            <a class=\"bg-white rounded px-3 py-1 text-gray-dark\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/feature-list\" target=\"_blank\">See features<\/a>\n\n                            <a class=\"button-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\">Join Pumble<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"banner-image banner-image-middle \">\n        <picture>\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/features@2x.png 2x\" alt=\"Illustration\"  media=\"(min-width: 1022px)\" \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/features.png\"  alt=\"Illustration\" \/>\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"rule-1-start-by-asking-for-permission-to-chime-in\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rule #1: Start by asking for permission to chime in<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First things first, make sure to always ask for permission to interrupt.<br>Even if you\u2019re absolutely positive your teammates won\u2019t mind you jumping in, it\u2019s only appropriate and polite to ask for everyone\u2019s permission to interrupt first.<br>This way, you\u2019re showing respect to all participants and demonstrating your awareness of basic meeting and <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/chat-etiquette-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">professional communication etiquette<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, instead of cutting straight to the chase, take a second to acknowledge others and ask for their permission to chip in.<br>You can go with something along the lines of:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Do you mind if I add something quickly?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Excuse me, but may I ask a quick question?<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"rule-2-apologize-for-interrupting\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rule #2: Apologize for interrupting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Needless to say, your next step is to apologize for cutting in and cutting people off.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To interrupt politely has a lot to do with the amount of awareness shown of how it may come across and apologizing to everyone involved for chiming in.<br>Although it seems obvious and common sense, we\u2019ve all witnessed numerous situations in meetings where a simple <em>&#8220;<\/em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/say-sorry-professionally\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>sorry<\/em><\/a><em>&#8220;<\/em> was missing from the vocabulary of a person interrupting, so it\u2019s best we highlight the importance of apologizing.<br>If you don\u2019t want to come across as rude and outright insensitive and get all the wrong types of attention from your coworkers, be sure to start with an apology:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>I\u2019m terribly sorry to interrupt, but\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>My apologies for cutting in, but<\/em>\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"rule-3-mind-the-timing-and-the-relevancy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rule #3: Mind the timing and the relevancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding how to politely interrupt often involves the right timing.<br>A good rule of thumb when determining the right time to jump in with your questions and remarks is to make sure it\u2019s relevant to the topic or issue discussed. (Unless you need to make an urgent announcement or need to leave the meeting early due to an emergency, in which case you can\u2019t really mind the timing.)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, don\u2019t wait until the next topic of discussion to add a comment about the current one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, pay attention to the relevancy of your commentary \u2014 is it actually contributing to the topic, or is it derailing the conversation away from the main focus?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"rule-4-raise-your-virtual-hand\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rule #4: Raise your (virtual) hand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you jump in and potentially disrupt the flow of conversation, it\u2019s a good practice to announce your interruption with a visual cue. Since most meetings nowadays are virtual, you could make use of the virtual hand-raising feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you need to chime in during video or <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/voice-calls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">voice calls<\/a>, or even during in-person meetings, it\u2019s a good idea to start with a visual cue such as raising a hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"852\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/pumble-video-call-.png\" alt=\"Video conferencing in Pumble, a business communication app\" class=\"wp-image-6916\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/pumble-video-call-.png 852w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/pumble-video-call--300x193.png 300w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/pumble-video-call--768x494.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 852px) 100vw, 852px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Video conferencing in Pumble, a business communication app by CAKE.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although still disruptive, a hand-raising signal can serve to remind people speaking that you have something to add and thus help you avoid verbally interrupting someone mid-sentence. This way, you are signaling that you\u2019ll go next, after the person speaking finishes their point.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that we\u2019ve established some general rules, let\u2019s see how these apply in specific situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/video-conferencing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stay polite and respectful with Pumble&#8217;s video features<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-interrupt-politely-in-a-meeting\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to interrupt politely in a meeting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding that it might be justified to cut in during a meeting doesn\u2019t necessarily make the process any easier. You\u2019ll still need a few tips and some useful phrases to make the interruption polite and professional.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why we\u2019ll go over some of the most common situations when it\u2019s appropriate to interrupt in a meeting and offer suggestions on how to execute it politely and professionally.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"scenario-1-when-one-person-is-dominating-the-conversation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scenario #1: When one person is dominating the conversation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve all been there at least once in our careers. One or two people are completely absorbed into their perspective up to the point of becoming oblivious to the underlying purpose of the meeting \u2014 to hear multiple perspectives and discuss the best possible solutions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s becoming clear you (or any other participant, for that matter) won\u2019t get the opportunity to share your feedback unless someone puts a stop to the monologue\/dialogue happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, this is a rather common scenario in meetings. According to the data from the latest <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/communication\/meeting-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">meeting statistics<\/a>, 79% of organizations across America experience this scenario in meetings, despite the fact that 64% of professionals report this behavior as their biggest meeting pet peeve. Still, data shows that 42% of respondents didn\u2019t get a chance to express their opinion in a meeting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, how do you politely put a stop to this behavior?<br>Let\u2019s find out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"how-to-politely-interrupt-when-one-person-is-dominating-the-conversation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to politely interrupt when one person is dominating the conversation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The fact that you\u2019re doing the right thing here doesn\u2019t mean you should be rude or disrespectful when interrupting someone dominating the conversation in a meeting.<br>There\u2019s still proper etiquette to follow to remain polite and respectful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Address the person by their name<\/strong>. This will serve to grab their attention and politely call them out on their behavior.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Hey, Sarah, I\u2019d like to jump in here.<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ask to add your point of view<\/strong>. Remember to remain polite and respectful while reminding the person other perspectives need to be heard.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Sorry to interrupt, but I hope you don\u2019t mind if I add my two cents?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Recap their points and add your ideas and commentary<\/strong>. Acknowledge their perspective and build on from there to move the conversation further and away from the person in question.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>As Sarah was saying, I think we could really benefit from [strategy name] going forward<\/em>. <em>There\u2019s also an untapped potential in [resource name] we should look into.<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pass the mic<\/strong>. Introduce other participants and ask for their perspective.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>I\u2019m sure Samira will have more info on that<\/em>.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"scenario-2-when-the-conversation-gets-sidetracked\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scenario #2: When the conversation gets sidetracked<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another meeting scenario we\u2019re all familiar with is when a discussion gets off track. It takes one person and one semi-interesting but unrelated remark to turn the entire direction of the conversation.<br>This scenario is mostly present in meetings that lack:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clear direction,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Purpose,&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A detailed agenda, or&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/why-do-some-people-fear-facilitating-meetings\/\" target=\"_blank\">meeting facilitator<\/a> to keep the conversation on track.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"how-to-politely-interrupt-when-the-conversation-gets-sidetracked\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to politely interrupt when the conversation gets sidetracked<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how hopeless this situation may seem, all is not lost. There\u2019s still a way to turn the unfocused conversation into an effective and productive meeting.<br>The trick is to act fast and nip the side conversation in the bud \u2014 i.e., to interrupt it, politely.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what you can do to politely interrupt and steer the conversation back on track.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stop the momentum<\/strong>. You can either raise your (virtual) hand to announce you\u2019re about to speak or jump in unannounced. Whichever approach you decide to take, don\u2019t forget to apologize first. Also, a great option here is to again mention the speaker(s) by their name to really grab their attention.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Remain professional and polite<\/strong>. Don\u2019t forget to ask for permission to jump in and apologize for interrupting.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Excuse me, but may I cut in here?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>I\u2019m so sorry to interrupt. If it\u2019s OK I\u2019d like to take it from here?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Apologies for interrupting, but may I just chime in quickly?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Get the conversation back on track<\/strong>. Now it\u2019s time to acknowledge the person speaking and thank them for their insights while steering the conversation back to the main agenda.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Great points, Michelle. Let\u2019s revisit those in our next week\u2019s meeting<\/em>, <em>as we have just enough time to go over our priorities for this week<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"scenario-3-when-you-want-to-make-a-relevant-contribution-to-a-conversation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scenario #3: When you want to make a relevant contribution to a conversation&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our next scenario is probably one of the most common examples of interruptions in meetings. We\u2019ve all witnessed a situation where one person jumps in to deliver their opinion on a topic of discussion.<br>And, most likely, some of those interruptions were highly inappropriate and uncalled for, while others were perfectly reasonable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re unsure of whether or not to interrupt a conversation in a meeting and add your two cents, ask yourself whether what you have to say is relevant and brings real value to the conversation, or if there might be a better time in the meeting to share your ideas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if the topic is about to be closed and you have a relevant piece of information that could resolve an issue, then it\u2019s perfectly reasonable to jump in.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, if the topic is still on the table, and everyone involved gets to share their opinion, it might be better to wait your turn.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"how-to-politely-interrupt-when-you-want-to-make-a-timely-and-relevant-contribution-to-a-conversation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to politely interrupt when you want to make a timely and relevant contribution to a conversation&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019ve assessed that it\u2019s reasonable to chime in and share your opinion, it\u2019s still important to be mindful of how you\u2019re wording your ideas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some phrases you can use to cut in when you want to share your opinion in a meeting politely and professionally:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>I hate to interrupt, but may I just add something before we move on?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>If it\u2019s OK, I\u2019ll just share something I believe is relevant to this issue while we\u2019re on that topic.<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"scenario-4-when-you-need-to-ask-a-question-or-need-clarification\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scenario #4: When you need to ask a question or need clarification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ever contemplated whether to jump in to ask a question during a particularly unclear presentation in a meeting? Well, our verdict here is clear \u2014&nbsp;it is perfectly reasonable to do so. Of course, as long as you\u2019re being polite and respectful.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to clearing any confusion and helping yourself better understand and engage with what\u2019s discussed in a meeting, you\u2019re potentially also helping others who may have the same problem. So, we say \u2014 go for it. And here\u2019s how.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"how-to-politely-interrupt-when-you-need-to-ask-a-question-or-need-a-clarification\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to politely interrupt when you need to ask a question or need a clarification<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The general rules of politeness apply in this situation as well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You should always start by <strong>apologizing for interrupting and asking for permission<\/strong> to chime in. There are plenty of ways to politely apologize for interrupting, as you\u2019ve seen in the examples provided above \u2014 so, feel free to use any of those, or come up with your own.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Next up, it\u2019s time to cut straight to the chase and ask your question(s). It\u2019s important to <strong>be brief and to the point<\/strong> so as not to disrupt the flow of the meeting any more than it\u2019s completely necessary.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moreover, remember not to put the responsibility on the person speaking. <strong>Own your confusion<\/strong>, lack of information, or preparation, and help the person helping you.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finally, to improve the efficiency of the exchange, you can <strong>rephrase what the person was saying to help them understand what part you need more clarity on<\/strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To do all of that, you can use one of the following examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Hate to be rude, but may I ask a quick question?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Would you mind explaining the last part to me again?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>If I understand you correctly, you\u2019re suggesting we start creating Affiliate marketing and Partnership sales channels in hopes of getting more revenue through partnerships? Do we have a team assigned for this, or are we thinking about hiring new people?<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"banner banner-dark pumble-gradient-features\">\n    <div class=\"banner-text lg:pr-[6rem]\">\n        <span class=\"h4 text-lg translation-block mb-0\">Communication made easy<\/span>\n        <p class=\"translation-block mt-1 mb-3\">Strengthen your team. Try Pumble, the all-in-one communication app.<\/p>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-buttons d-flex gap-4 align-items-center translation-block justify-content-center justify-content-sm-start\">\n            <a class=\"bg-white rounded px-3 py-1 text-gray-dark\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/solutions\" target=\"_blank\">Solutions<\/a>\n\n                            <a class=\"button-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\">Register<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"banner-image banner-image-middle \">\n        <picture>\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/features@2x.png 2x\" alt=\"Illustration\"  media=\"(min-width: 1022px)\" \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/features.png\"  alt=\"Illustration\" \/>\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"scenario-5-when-you-want-to-help-someone-who-is-struggling-in-a-meeting\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scenario #5: When you want to help someone who is struggling in a meeting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Great team spirit and <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/connect-remote-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">connection<\/a> rely on lending a helping hand when other team members experience challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice any of the following scenarios during a team meeting, it might be time to interrupt and offer help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A team member is experiencing <strong>technical difficulties<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A coworker is struggling to answer a question because they\u2019re <strong>missing relevant information<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Someone is experiencing extreme <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/meeting-anxiety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>meeting anxiety<\/strong><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"how-to-politely-interrupt-when-you-want-to-help-someone-who-is-struggling-in-a-meeting\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to politely interrupt when you want to help someone who is struggling in a meeting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The trick with jumping in to offer help in situations where a colleague is struggling in a meeting is to know when your help is actually needed, welcome, and appreciated. Otherwise, it can be completely counterproductive as you can overstep people\u2019s boundaries and you can seem completely out of touch with a situation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sure, you want to help keep the <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/make-virtual-meetings-more-interactive-engaging\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">meetings as interactive, engaging<\/a>, and effective as possible, but it\u2019s important to stay cognizant of personal and professional boundaries as you\u2019re doing so.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, you might say:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Can I interrupt for a moment? Sorry for cutting in, but I had the same issue recently, so maybe you could try this approach\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>I don\u2019t mean to intrude, but this reminded me we need to add something here\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Excuse me for butting in. Just wanted to say that I think that\u2019s great\/interesting\u2026<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Pumble Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding and properly assessing the right moment to jump in and help out a colleague struggling in a meeting requires a great deal of awareness and emotional intelligence. To perfect these skills, be sure to check out our blog post on the topic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/emotional-intelligence-in-the-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Emotional intelligence in the workplace<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"scenario-6-when-you-need-to-deliver-an-urgent-message-or-update\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scenario #6: When you need to deliver an urgent message or update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unpredictable situations are bound to happen during meetings, and some of those require your immediate reaction. This means that you\u2019ll have to interrupt an important discussion once in a while to, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Leave a meeting due to a family emergency, or&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deliver an important update that just came up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, there are some useful phrases you can use to politely interrupt a meeting to deliver your message.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"how-to-politely-interrupt-when-you-need-to-deliver-an-urgent-message-or-update\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to politely interrupt when you need to deliver an urgent message or update&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though these unexpected situations are, well, unanticipated, you can still choose how you\u2019ll deliver them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you need to leave the meeting for some reason, or you received an important update from a client or another teammate that could change the direction of the discussion or resolve an issue, you\u2019ll inevitably need to interrupt an ongoing conversation. However, you can still choose your words carefully to remain polite and professional.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what that can look like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>So sorry to interrupt, but I\u2019ll have to leave the meeting due to a family emergency.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Hope you don\u2019t mind me barging in, but I just heard from the X client, and I have some great news regarding this project<\/em>.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-prevent-minimize-interruptions-in-meetings\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to prevent\/minimize interruptions in meetings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, interruptions are inevitable. Things come up, people need explanations, and accidents happen.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That being said, there are still some ways you can reduce or prevent potential interruptions in meetings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s go over our top tips on how to interrupt-proof your meetings and create a more productive meeting experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"tip-1-assign-a-meeting-facilitator\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #1: Assign a meeting facilitator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When looking to improve the quality of your work meetings, whether they are virtual or in-person, one of the key steps you should take is defining clear <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/meeting-roles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">meeting roles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to fostering <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/diversity-in-communications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">inclusivity<\/a>, collaboration, and productivity, assigning the right people for relevant meeting roles can reduce misunderstandings and interruptions and improve the overall flow of your meetings.<br>When people are aware of who\u2019s in charge of what, they are less likely to take it upon themselves to intervene when it\u2019s not their turn to speak.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, when meeting roles are assigned and communicated to all participants before the meeting, there\u2019s less opportunity for one or two people to dominate the entire conversation.<br>The tech host or a chat moderator, for example, can ensure any tech issues are addressed in a timely manner without having to interrupt the ongoing conversation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, a meeting facilitator can serve as a powerful figure in maintaining an undisrupted and effective conversation. A skilled facilitator can anticipate and prevent potential side conversations and <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/collaboration\/team-conflict\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">group conflicts<\/a>. By setting the tone from the start, meeting facilitators also can help avoid potential <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/miscommunication-in-the-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">miscommunication<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simply put, consider assigning clear meeting roles to minimize interruptions in meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maintain undisrupted and effective communication \u2014 host your meetings in Pumble<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"tip-2-create-a-detailed-meeting-agenda\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #2: Create a detailed meeting agenda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, a detailed meeting agenda can provide clear guidelines on the purpose and the flow of the meeting.<br>When participants are aware of the talking points and action items, they are more likely to stick to the predetermined schedule and prioritize the main points.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, the meeting agenda provides an insight into who\u2019s in charge of what, which clears any potential confusion and minimizes the risk of conversations going on a tangent.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Pumble Pro Tip<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not sure where to start with a meeting agenda for your virtual meetings, we have a guide on the blog. Check it out and learn how to design an effective virtual agenda that will keep your meetings productive and your participants engaged:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/virtual-agenda\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to write a virtual meeting agenda: Templates, tips, and examples&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"tip-3-set-ground-rules-at-the-beginning\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tip #3: Set ground rules at the beginning&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best ways to avoid unnecessary interruptions during meetings is to set some ground rules at the beginning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s hard to determine whether the speakers would prefer to have someone jump in and take over from time to time or if they\u2019d like to have an undisrupted presentation and address the questions later on.<br>So, it\u2019s best to ask before the formal part of the meeting so that everyone is in on the preferred approach.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if there are no official speakers at the meeting and everyone is welcome to join, then it\u2019s best to suggest how the questions and remarks will be handled. You can do a quick poll and vote to get a better understanding of how the participants feel about interruptions.<br>In general, it\u2019s a good practice to establish a couple of universal rules regarding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visual cues when someone wants to chime in (e.g. hand-raising),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preferred time to answer questions, and&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rules of conduct in case of an emergency or urgent update.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Having all participants agree on the rules and cues about interruptions and questions at the beginning of a meeting will help you reduce unwanted interruptions during the meeting and ensure a more pleasant and <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/how-to-run-effective-meetings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">effective meeting<\/a> experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"banner banner-light pumble-gradient-templates\">\n    <div class=\"banner-text lg:pr-[6rem]\">\n        <span class=\"h4 text-lg translation-block mb-0\">All-in-one digital HQ<\/span>\n        <p class=\"translation-block mt-1 mb-3\">A communication app for teams of all kinds. Discuss, share, and collaborate.<\/p>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-buttons d-flex gap-4 align-items-center translation-block justify-content-center justify-content-sm-start\">\n            <a class=\"bg-white rounded px-3 py-1 text-gray-dark\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/solutions\" target=\"_blank\">Solutions<\/a>\n\n                            <a class=\"button-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\">Register<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"banner-image banner-image-middle \">\n        <picture>\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/templates@2x.png 2x\" alt=\"Illustration\"  media=\"(min-width: 1022px)\" \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/templates.png\"  alt=\"Illustration\" \/>\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"pumble-by-cake-com-makes-your-meetings-more-effective-even-with-interruptions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pumble by CAKE.com makes your meetings more effective \u2014 Even with interruptions\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you have seen above, you should interrupt others only when there is a clear reason to do so. Otherwise, you\u2019re really diminishing the effectiveness of the meetings you attend (not to mention prolonging them).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure your remote meetings remain as effective as possible, hold them over <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/team-communication-app\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pumble, a team communication app<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/cake.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CAKE.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to some of its features, Pumble can help you keep your interruptions minimally disruptive and as polite as possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For exmaple, you can politely interrupt the speaker while you are on a <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/video-conferencing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">video call<\/a> by raising a (virtual) hand. Of course, it is up to you to follow the guidelines mentioned above and choose the right time for that action.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, if you want to make a side note that\u2019s not really worth interrupting, you can send an <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/help\/using-pumble\/calls-and-meetings\/call-tools-and-features\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in-call message<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"892\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Raising-your-virtual-hand-in-the-Pumble-video-call-at-the-right-moment-will-enable-you-to-interrupt-the-speaker-politely.png\" alt=\"Raising your (virtual) hand in the Pumble video call at the right moment will enable you to interrupt the speaker politely\" class=\"wp-image-13487\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Raising-your-virtual-hand-in-the-Pumble-video-call-at-the-right-moment-will-enable-you-to-interrupt-the-speaker-politely.png 1200w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Raising-your-virtual-hand-in-the-Pumble-video-call-at-the-right-moment-will-enable-you-to-interrupt-the-speaker-politely-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Raising-your-virtual-hand-in-the-Pumble-video-call-at-the-right-moment-will-enable-you-to-interrupt-the-speaker-politely-1024x761.png 1024w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Raising-your-virtual-hand-in-the-Pumble-video-call-at-the-right-moment-will-enable-you-to-interrupt-the-speaker-politely-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Raising-your-virtual-hand-in-the-Pumble-video-call-at-the-right-moment-will-enable-you-to-interrupt-the-speaker-politely-16x12.png 16w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Raising your (virtual) hand in the Pumble video call at the right moment will enable you to interrupt the speaker politely<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>But it\u2019s not just face-to-face meetings that you have to worry about impolite interruptions \u2014 it\u2019s written conversations, as well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, Pumble offers a solution for that as well. For example, if there is an ongoing conversation in one of the company <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/features\/channels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">channels<\/a>, try not to interrupt it by adding newposts. Instead, use the <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/features\/threads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">thread conversation<\/a> feature.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Naturally, we won\u2019t always be in a position to voice our opinions and thoughts when it suits us \u2014 as we already established, there\u2019s a time and place for interruptions. That\u2019s why Pumble has a handy feature \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/features\/reminders\">reminders<\/a> \u2014 that will, as their name suggests, remind you to ask what you want when the right time comes.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"803\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/An-example-of-reminders-in-Pumble.png\" alt=\"An example of a reminder in Pumble\n\" class=\"wp-image-13488\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/An-example-of-reminders-in-Pumble.png 1200w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/An-example-of-reminders-in-Pumble-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/An-example-of-reminders-in-Pumble-1024x685.png 1024w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/An-example-of-reminders-in-Pumble-768x514.png 768w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/An-example-of-reminders-in-Pumble-18x12.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An example of a reminder in Pumble\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get started with Pumble<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn when it\u2019s appropriate to interrupt in a meeting and how to politely do so.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":7056,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-communication-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7018","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7018"}],"version-history":[{"count":44,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7018\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23621,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7018\/revisions\/23621"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7056"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7018"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7018"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7018"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}