Nonstop talkers surround us. They appear to have no concept of
time, as they ramble on endlessly--following their request to
"talk to you for a minute." You want to treat them courteously,
yet demonstrate that you need privacy to finish your work.
During my twenty-three years in management, I dealt with
blabbermouths frequently, so for the last ten years I have
advised clients on how to silence the workplace windbags.
Here are my suggestions for muzzling the motor mouths:
ONE: Offer nonverbal cues. If you continue your work and don't
make eye contact, many people will take the hint and decide to
leave. Another approach: Check your watch repeatedly. A more
prominent gesture: Put your hand up like a policeman stopping
traffic, a universally understood position. Start packing your
briefcase, signaling your departure plans.
TWO: When subtle cues won't work, explain why you can't have a
conversation. "I can't talk right now, because I'm in the middle
of a project that's due tomorrow. I'll get back with you later."
Notice--that puts you in charge of the next move.
THREE: Try giving a time limit: "I've got five minutes. What
can we cover in that amount of time?" Then stick to the
announced limit rigidly, and get on the phone or walk away
when the five minutes have expired.
FOUR: Make sure you meet with gabby people in their offices, not
yours. Why? Walking away is much less awkward than trying to
shuffle someone out of your office.
FIVE: Wherever you meet, schedule the get-together just before
lunch or closing time, when they will be more conscious of time
limits themselves.
SIX: Enlist an assistant's help. Before the chatty person
arrives, tell a co-worker to interrupt you if the visitor is
still there after fifteen minutes. A comment like "Do you
remember that appointment you have now?" will justify your
ending the conversation.
SEVEN: Compliment the talker by saying, "Gosh, what you are
saying sounds worth considering. Please go back to your desk now
and put your recommendations in writing, so I can share them with
the staff."
EIGHT: Remove the usual comforts by having a stand-up meeting.
This symbolically conveys that you are not going to settle in
for an extended appointment.
NINE: In a group meeting, tell the windbag, "Really appreciate
your input on that, Marvin. Now let me give Sharon and one or
two others a chance to respond." Another ploy: "We're on a tight
schedule, so I have to move us to the next point on the agenda."
TEN: Ask for a conclusion: "Sandra, I think I get what you are
driving at, but just to be sure please sum it up for me in a few
sentences."
ELEVEN: Get up and walk toward the door, saying, "Let's finish
this on the way out."
TWELVE: Introduce them to someone else: "I want you to share
your ideas with Norman, because he heads this particular
program."
Next time the company chatterbox confronts you, try these
approaches. They work, and they won't shatter relationships.
And here is an invitation: If you use some strategies
I haven't mentioned, please e-mail them to me:
drbill@ChampionshipCommunication.com Title your e-mail MOTOR
MOUTHS, so I will be sure to open it. If you send me a
suggestion, please indicate whether you grant permission for
me to quote you in articles, on my blog and elsewhere.
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