Reclaiming Your Voice: Florence Divet ☀️’s Strategy for Handling Meeting Interruptions

In a recent LinkedIn post, Florence Divet ☀️ explores the significant impact of being interrupted during meetings, framing it not as a minor annoyance but as a critical factor in how authority and presence are perceived. Florence Divet ☀️ argues that such disruptions can weaken an individual’s standing and even lead to their ideas being appropriated.

The post highlights the common experience of being cut off mid-sentence, leading to a diluted contribution or the loss of an idea altogether. This, according to Florence Divet ☀️, can over time cause substantial damage to an individual’s confidence, visibility, credibility, and influence.

“When someone talks over you, they do not only cut your sentence short. They disrupt your reasoning. They weaken your presence. And sometimes, they walk away with your idea.”

The Pitfalls of Common Reactions

Florence Divet ☀️ addresses typical, yet ineffective, responses to interruptions, such as speaking faster, pushing harder, interrupting back, or withdrawing entirely. These reactions, the post explains, often miss the core issue at hand.

Beyond Communication: Presence and Boundaries

The central thesis of Florence Divet ☀️’s analysis is that handling interruptions effectively is less about pure communication skill and more about establishing presence, setting boundaries, and asserting influence. The goal, as Florence Divet ☀️ emphasizes, is not to dominate but to ensure one’s voice is not treated as optional.

“Because the goal is to protect the integrity of your contribution while staying composed. That is leadership.”

A Four-Step Strategy for Assertive Responses

Drawing inspiration from Mel Robbins, Florence Divet ☀️ outlines a structured approach for responding to interruptions constructively:

1. Keep Talking: Florence Divet ☀️ advises not to relinquish the floor too quickly. Continuing briefly and steadily signals that the speaker was not finished and that their voice matters.
2. Slow Down: In contrast to the instinct to rush, Florence Divet ☀️ suggests that slowing down is a powerful tactic. Composure, rather than speed, is seen as the key to restoring authority.
3. Use Their Name and Set a Clean Boundary: This step involves calm and clear communication. Florence Divet ☀️ suggests phrases like, “Alex, I’m going to finish my point first,” followed by completing the thought. If a brief continuation is needed, adding, “This is important, and I want to make sure the full point is heard,” can be effective.
4. Invite Them Back In: Florence Divet ☀️ highlights that demonstrating maturity involves inviting the interrupter to share their perspective after your point is fully made. Phrases like, “Alex, happy to hear your view now,” can de-escalate tension while maintaining structure.

The Leadership Imperative

Florence Divet ☀️ concludes by underscoring that meetings are not just about content but also about observing dynamics of who commands and holds the floor. The key takeaway is that one does not need to be louder to be heard, but rather harder to override.

“In meetings, people are not only listening to the content. They are also reading who holds the floor, who keeps it, and who yields it too easily.”

This actionable advice, as presented by Florence Divet ☀️, offers a practical framework for professionals seeking to protect their contributions and maintain their influence in collaborative environments.