Do you work with a compulsive talker? Someone who seems to dominate conversations, lack any ability to filter themselves, and tell the same story over and over? While it may feel amazing to tell them to “can it” and permanently mute them on Zoom,here are some more office-friendly ways to handle that situation.
- Be Candid And Direct. The best way to go about things is to be honest. Tell them that their non-stop verbal avalanche is ruining meetings and negatively affecting things in the office. If you have the power to do so, you may even want to tell the compulsive talker to only speak up in meetings when spoken to.
- Shift The Conversation Away From Them. Compulsive talkers have an amazing ability to make anything about themselves. Fight back by abruptly changing the subject when they do. Something like “I am going to stop you right there because we’re getting off-topic…”Fingers crossed that they take the hint.
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- Impose Rules. If you don’t want to single them out with a‘ Karen’s have to stay quiet’ rule, put in a policy for everyone. Something like a mandatory mute policy on Zoom or throw around a ball and only the person holding it gets to speak. Just make sure you also put in place an underhand throw-only rule along with that second option.