You've probably done it. You've cut someone off. You've interrupted them mid-sentence. You've finished their sentence for them. And then you've thought: Why did I do that? Why did I cut them off? Am I just rude?
Here's the uncomfortable truth: cutting people off is not because you're rude. It's a reflex. An interruption reflex. And understanding why you have an interruption reflex — and how to change it — is the key to becoming a better listener.
What the Interruption Reflex Actually Is
Let me be precise, because understanding what the interruption reflex is is the first step to changing it.
The interruption reflex is not rudeness. It's a reflex. An automatic response. When someone is speaking, your brain is already thinking about what you want to say. And when you think you know what they're going to say, you interrupt. Not because you're rude. Because it's a reflex.
And here's what most people miss: the interruption reflex is not a character flaw. It's a reflex. And understanding that — understanding that the interruption reflex is a reflex — is the key to changing it. Not seeing it as a character flaw. Seeing it as a reflex.
Pause and Reflect: Think about the last time you cut someone off. Were you being rude? Or was it a reflex? If it was a reflex, that's okay. The interruption reflex is a reflex. And understanding that — understanding that the interruption reflex is a reflex — is the key to changing it.
Why You Have an Interruption Reflex
Here's why you have an interruption reflex — and why it matters.
You have an interruption reflex because your brain is always thinking. Always processing. Always thinking about what you want to say next. And when you think you know what someone is going to say, you interrupt. Not because you're rude. Because your brain is already thinking about what you want to say.
And here's what most people miss: this is not a sign that you're rude. It's a sign that your brain is always thinking. And understanding that — understanding that the interruption reflex is a sign that your brain is always thinking — is the key to changing it. Not seeing it as a sign that you're rude. Seeing it as a sign that your brain is always thinking.
The Personality Types Most Likely to Have an Interruption Reflex
Your personality shapes how likely you are to have an interruption reflex — and which aspects are hardest to change.
If you're high in extraversion — outgoing, socially engaged — you're more likely to have an interruption reflex. Because you're socially engaged. You're eager to participate. And that eagerness to participate — that eagerness to participate — makes you more likely to have an interruption reflex. Because you're eager to participate.
If you're high in openness to experience — curious, creative — you're more likely to have an interruption reflex because you're curious. You're eager to share your thoughts. And that eagerness to share your thoughts — that eagerness to share your thoughts — makes you more likely to have an interruption reflex. Because you're eager to share your thoughts.
If you're high in conscientiousness — organized, disciplined — you're more likely to have an interruption reflex because you're organized. You're focused on getting things done. And that focus on getting things done — that focus on getting things done — makes you more likely to have an interruption reflex. Because you're focused on getting things done.
If you're low in agreeableness — less compassionate — you're more likely to have an interruption reflex because you're less compassionate. You're less focused on listening. And that lack of focus on listening — that lack of focus on listening — makes you more likely to have an interruption reflex. Because you're less focused on listening.
The Micro-Insight About the Interruption Reflex
Here's the thing that changes how people think about the interruption reflex.
The interruption reflex is not rudeness. It's a reflex. And understanding that — understanding that the interruption reflex is a reflex — is the key to changing it.
We think of the interruption reflex as rudeness. As a character flaw. But it's not. It's a reflex. And understanding that — understanding that the interruption reflex is a reflex — is the key to changing it. Not seeing it as rudeness. Seeing it as a reflex.
How to Change Your Interruption Reflex
Here's the practical part. Because understanding the interruption reflex without knowing how to change it doesn't change anything.
Practice listening. Don't just try to not interrupt. Practice listening. Because practicing listening — practicing listening — is what actually allows you to change your interruption reflex. Not just trying to not interrupt. Practicing listening.
Wait before speaking. Don't just speak immediately. Wait before speaking. Because waiting before speaking — waiting before speaking — is what actually allows you to change your interruption reflex. Not just speaking immediately. Waiting before speaking.
Focus on understanding. Don't just focus on what you want to say. Focus on understanding. Because focusing on understanding — focusing on understanding — is what actually allows you to change your interruption reflex. Not just focusing on what you want to say. Focusing on understanding.
The Deeper Truth About the Interruption Reflex
Here's what I want you to understand.
The interruption reflex is not rudeness. It's a reflex. And understanding that — understanding that the interruption reflex is a reflex — is the key to changing it.
The interruption reflex is not random. It's a reflex. And understanding that — understanding that the interruption reflex is a reflex — is the key to changing it. Not seeing it as rudeness. Seeing it as a reflex. And that understanding — that understanding that the interruption reflex is a reflex — is what actually allows you to change it.
You Can Change Your Interruption Reflex
Here's what I want you to hear.
You can change your interruption reflex. You can practice listening, wait before speaking, focus on understanding. And that changing — that changing of your interruption reflex — is what actually allows you to become a better listener.
The interruption reflex is not rudeness. It's a reflex. And understanding that — understanding that the interruption reflex is a reflex — is the key to changing it. Not seeing it as rudeness. Seeing it as a reflex. And that understanding — that understanding that the interruption reflex is a reflex — is what actually allows you to change it.
If you've been struggling with an interruption reflex — if you want to understand the specific personality traits that make you more likely to have an interruption reflex — the MyTraitsLab Personality Test can show you the full picture. Not to tell you you're rude. But to help you see the specific wiring that makes you more likely to have an interruption reflex — and help you change it in a way that actually works for you.
