I want to be honest with you: the title of this is intentionally a bit misleading.
It’s very difficult to interrupt politely and respecfully in meetings and conversations. What you actually want to learn how to do isn’t interrupting at all. It’s interjecting.
Interrupting vs. Interjecting: What’s the Difference?
Interrupting takes away from a conversation or meeting. Interjecting adds to it.
That distinction matters more than most people realize. Interrupting should happen rarely, and only in unusual circumstances. Interjecting, on the other hand, is something you should feel comfortable doing regularly. When it’s done well, it’s a contribution, not a disruption.
A lot of people struggle with this because they know interrupting is rude, and on some level they recognize they might be doing it for the wrong reasons, or that what they want to say could probably wait. Others struggle for the opposite reason: they have something valuable to add, but they’re afraid that speaking up at all will come across as rude, so they hold back. They don’t realize that what they actually want to do is interject, not interrupt.
And then there’s a third group: people who interrupt in meetings frequently without even realizing they’re doing it.
If you’ve ever hesitated to speak up in a meeting because you didn’t want to seem rude, this distinction is for you. Interjecting isn’t rude. It’s something that needs to happen, because it helps and adds to the conversation.
How to Interject Respectfully
The key to interjecting well is creating an opening rather than forcing your way in. Wait for a natural pause, and use that moment to signal that you have something to contribute. A few phrases that work well:
- “I have something to add.”
- “I would like to interject something.”
- “I see things differently.”
- “I have a question about that.”
Note: These same phrases work just as well at networking events when you want to jump into a group conversation naturally.
That third one is intentional. You can absolutely say “I disagree” if that’s accurate and you’re comfortable with it, but be aware that it can put the other person on the defensive. “I see things differently” gets you to the same place – disagreeing – without putting up walls before you’ve even finished your sentence.
Once you’ve created that opening, make your point and then stop. This is the part that separates interjecting from interrupting: you’re not taking over the conversation. You’re adding to it and then handing it back. (If you tend to fill that opening with “um” or “so” before you get to your point, the truth about filler words is worth a read too.)
If you want to take this a step further, you can also help guide the conversation back to where it was before you spoke. A brief reminder of what was being discussed shows that you respect the flow of the conversation and aren’t trying to redirect it toward yourself. It’s a small move, but it reflects real professionalism and consideration for everyone else in the room.
When Interrupting Actually Is Necessary
There are situations where interrupting, not just interjecting, is appropriate. These should be rare, but they do happen.
One example is correcting a factual error before it’s repeated or acted on further. If someone is about to present incorrect numbers to a client on a call, for instance, waiting for a natural pause may mean the damage is already done.
Another is a genuinely time-sensitive opportunity that will be lost if it waits. Maybe it’s a call coming in from someone who’s notoriously hard to reach, or a narrow window to make a decision that closes the moment the meeting ends.
When you do need to interrupt, how you do it still matters. Make your entrance, wait for a break in the conversation if at all possible, state your need as briefly as you can, and follow it with, “My apologies for the interruption.” That small acknowledgment goes a long way in preserving the relationship and the room’s respect for you, even in a moment that required breaking the normal flow.
What Happens When You Stop Holding Back
I’ve worked with a lot of people, especially introverts, who have struggled with this. One client in particular stands out.
He came to me tired of holding back in meetings. He had a lot of good ideas and valuable input, but he kept it to himself more often than not. He told me he wanted to become “fearless” when it came to speaking up — that was his word, and he meant it.
We worked on it together. He started speaking up in meetings, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing his vision instead of sitting on it. At his next performance review, someone on his team described him as exactly that: fearless. Not loud. Not aggressive. Fearless.
He was promoted not long after. Then his company was acquired by a much larger competitor, and he received stock options in the new company with a potential value in the seven figures.
I’m not telling you that learning to interject well guarantees a life-changing payout. But I am telling you that the cost of staying silent can be far higher than most people realize. His ideas were valuable the whole time. The only thing that changed was that he started sharing them.
Your Voice Belongs in the Conversation
If you’ve been holding back in meetings because you’re worried about being seen as rude, I want you to walk away from this with one thing: interjecting isn’t rude. It’s something that needs to happen, because it helps and adds to the conversation you’re part of.
You don’t need to interrupt to be heard. You need to learn how to find the opening, make your point, and contribute with confidence. That’s a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned. (If building that confidence is something you’re working on more broadly, becoming a more confident speaker is a great next read.)
Ready to Find Your Voice in Meetings?
If speaking up in meetings or conversations feels harder than it should, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Explore my public speaking and communication coaching packages or book a free consultation to talk about what’s holding you back and how we can work on it together.