As I work on becoming a better listener by interrupting less, I’ve become increasingly aware of this default impulse that results in a display of impatience.
Every time things get busy, this impulse sends a signal indicating that it is time to move things along.
The impulse isn’t wrong. It IS likely time to move things along.
But, I’ve learnt that interrupting someone to make that point is not a good option in most cases. It ends up being counter productive. We often have to go slow to go fast.
And, in the rare case where that interruption is warranted, it matters that we do it with an apology, clear communication of our intentions, and grace.
