How to Stop Interrupting People in 5 Minutes — Why You Keep Doing It

About this video

• Video Title: How to Stop Interrupting People in 5 Minutes — Why You Keep Doing It
• Channel: The Conflicted Mind
• Speakers: None specified
• Duration: 00:05:24

Overview

This video explains the reasons behind the habit of interrupting others and provides three techniques to help stop this behavior. It addresses both the subconscious cognitive processes and psychological motivations that lead to interruptions, offering practical strategies to improve listening skills and strengthen relationships.

Key takeaways

• Understanding the "Why": Interrupting often stems from the brain's "predictive processing," where it anticipates what the speaker will say next, especially in fast-thinking individuals. It can also be a subconscious attempt to seek validation or control, termed "conversational narcissism."
• The Two-Second Rule: After someone finishes speaking, consciously pause for two seconds before responding. This allows the other person to add more thoughts, breaks the predictive cycle, and creates a moment for self-reflection on the intent behind speaking.
• Listening to Summarize: Instead of planning your response, mentally summarize what the other person is saying. This technique, supported by research, improves comprehension and memory by focusing on understanding their experience.
• The "No 'I' Rule": For a set period, consciously avoid starting sentences with "I" (e.g., "I think," "I feel," "I had"). This encourages reframing personal anecdotes to be more about the other person and fosters curiosity and better listening.
• Practice is Key: Applying any of these techniques in real conversations is essential for strengthening relationships and realizing the value of truly hearing others.