SamTastic Weekly Tip: 6/17/25 - Interruption Control

This week’s tip: Interruption Control

SAM Teams successfully use First Responders to decrease interruptions that pull the principal, and other school leaders, away from work to improve teaching practice and student outcomes. 

How do you deal with a different kind of interruption?  You are in a meeting, you are trying to make a point, but no one will let you finish? 

Here’s advice from Jefferson Fisher, a popular communications pundit:

#1. Before you start: set the expectation.

Before you even get started, ask them not to interrupt. It's like at a graduation when they say, "Please hold your applause to the end."

Say something like, "I have a lot of thoughts on this. Bear with me and hear me out, then I'd love your take."

#2. If they interrupt anyway: keep talking.

Don't stop. A lot of times they'll think, "Oh man, I interrupted" and let you continue.

There's nothing wrong with finishing your thought.

#3. If it gets bad: lower your voice and use their name.

"Matt, I can't hear you when you interrupt me. I want to hear what you have to say, so let me finish, and then I'm all yours."

Most people don't interrupt to be rude. They interrupt because they're engaged. Handle it with that in mind.

---

Haven’t received an invoice yet for SAM services for next year?  You can request an invoice now by using this link:  https://bit.ly/40GtA33

2024 SAM Team Performance Report:   Executive Summary - https://bit.ly/4fh2V2k

Music Video: I Am a SAM  https://bit.ly/48OCjCm