Muzzling the Motor Mouths: Silence Workplace Windbags
by Bill Lampton
Published on this site: December 3rd, 2005 - See
more articles from this month
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Wherever you meet, schedule the get-together just before
lunch or closing time, when they will be more conscious
of time limits themselves.
- 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.
- 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."
- 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.
- 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."
- 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."
- Get up and walk toward the door, saying, "Let's
finish this on the way out."
- 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: [email protected]
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.
Bill Lampton, Ph.D.--author of The Complete Communicator:
Change Your Communication, Change Your Life! helps organizations
strengthen their communication, motivation, customer service
and sales. He has served a diverse list of top-level client.
Visit his Web site to sign up for his monthly complimentary
newsletter: http://www.ChampionshipCommunication.com
Call Dr. Lampton to bring his expertise to your group: 770-534-3425
or 800-393-0114. E-mail: [email protected]
|
