How to Silence a Talkative Coworker
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- Опубліковано 23 кві 2018
- www.KenOkel.com If you want to get more done at work, then you need to learn how to silence a talkative coworker. These are the people who like to chat, while you’re trying to get through your to do list. Over time, the conversation time starts to cut into your productivity.
In this episode of our Employee Productivity series, you’ll learn how to handle a talkative coworker, without appearing rude. This strategy may even help you get through some dull tasks a lot faster.
What Productivity Questions Does This Video Answer?
-How to silence a talkative coworker?
-How to be firm but not rude at work?
-What can I do to avoid distractions at work?
-How can I be more productive at work?
Video Transcript
Does a talkative coworker make you wish you had a trap door by your desk. We’ve all been in that situation, you need to get some work done, and your coworkers keep bugging you. And maybe you have one of those coworkers who either doesn’t have much work to do or gets everything done very quickly.
So he or she kind of goes around the office and holds court, talks to people. Talks a lot to people. The minutes start to add up and you realize you’re not getting work done because you’re having to chat.
You can say something like, “Hey, I’m really busy. I’ve got to focus on this work. Can I catch up with you later?”
Sometimes this works fine. Other times the person really doesn’t get the hint and says, “Oh you can do that stuff later. Just stay late”
For you, those may not be good options. So how do you get rid of that coworker who just can’t take that hint? Here’s a tip I found that works. It’s a little unusual. But try it because I think you may be surprised by the results.
It’s to give that person some work. So, if they’re sitting at your desk and they are talking about the weekend’s football games and all their fantasy, and this that and the other thing, say, “You know what?” I’ve got to catch up on some things. I’m happy to talk to you. Let me give you this. If you wouldn’t mind alphabetizing this report? That would be great. It would help me out a lot.”
Or, “Hey, you know these paper clips that I have. Could you kind of arrange them in a certain way?”
Give them some menial task that you would have to perform. Now, there’s a chance the person may say, “Sure, I’m glad to help and they’ll start to do it.
But in most cases, when you give someone a little bit of work to do, suddenly he or she becomes much less interested in talking to you.
You’re not being rude. You’re kind of saying, “Hey, the price for talking to me is having to do a little bit of work. So, if you want to stick around, you’re welcome to. But you’re going to be helping me out with my job.” Instead of hurting you.
Try this technique. Very often it makes a talkative coworker speechless.
About This Video Series
Ken Okel’s Employee Productivity video series is designed to make you more effective on the job. Every week, you’ll learn a new, easy to understand tip that you can use right away.
Got a productivity problem? Let us know and we’ll feature it in an upcoming episode.
About Ken Okel
As a motivational speaker, Ken Okel works with leaders and organizations to boost productivity, performance, and profits. At conferences, conventions, and company meetings, he engages audiences with new ways to maximize their time at work. To see a sample of his keynote and workshop presentations, visit his www.kenokel.com/videos.
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I dont mind some talkative ones.its the ones who not only talk too much they literally just talk about themselves and their family and relationship.
Good point. The content of the conversation matters....
I feel the same way its like leave me alone. We have nothing in common.
They're fucking idiots. People that have half a brain on a job know not to reveal too much. Anything you do or say could be used against you. Ever heard of the 48 laws of power? Law 4, always say less than necessary. THAT is the approach you need to take
Thanks I can't wait to try this on Monday
And just like that... a light bulb turned on
The funny thing is I have done this on my own before and it worked. The person was so lazy, and when I got my break I saw that his co-worker at his work station (he walked across a big floor to chat) was covered in sweat working his ass off, when chatterbox could have been helping.
opening line is hilarious!! Does a talkative coworker make you wish you had a trap door by your desk? 😵😵😂😂
Thanks... I forgot I had said that. It is a good line.
trap door... ahahahahah !!!!
Those talkative shitheads are the reason that there's problems on jobs. Familiarity breeds contempt. The talkative ones are the first people you have a problem with on a job. It's even worse when a new person on a job keeps talking to you. Or as I like to call them "insta friends". People who instantly attach themselves to you and just won't shut the fuck up. It's bound to blow up at some point
I love your videos, short and straight to the point. But how to deal politely with a talkative coworker from another team stop you in corridor or cafeteria ?
Thanks so much for your kind words. You ask a really good question and I've been in that situation. I once worked with a news photographer who always made sure that he had a piece of paper or a video tape in his hand whenever he was inside the station. That way, when the bosses would see him, they wouldn't automatically give him more work. A similar thing might work for you. Can you have a folder or a piece of paper that you carry around? When you need to end a conversation, you hold up the folder and say, "So sorry, gotta go." The other person will mentally fill in the blanks that you must have something urgent to do.
Another strategy acknowledges that sometimes these conversations can be good for networking and career building. But can you control things a bit more. To avoid that feeling of being rushed and not having time to talk, I'll block off 15 minutes on my calendar during the day. It's not really for a specific meeting but provides me a buffer if a hallway conversation goes longer than expected.
Another option is to pick a day and spend the time with the person. So instead of talking to them for 5 minutes every day, you pick a day to catch up. You call it something like, "Catch up Tuesday." And you say something like, "Bob, it's catch up Tuesday. It's a busy week for me but I want to take some time to see how you're doing." This may help train the other person to focus their conversations with you at one time, rather than any time.
@@KenOkel Thank you so much for such a nice tip and your time.
@@Information_Frequency My pleasure!
They do not stop talking…& does not do the work ….. I love your suggestion …
Hope it helps. Thanks for the kind words!
You are a bit late. 6 year late !!!!
@@thanasisathanasi4965 Timing is everything...
I love this idea. Will definitely try it.
Thank you Liz!
Arrange paper clips 🥴🤦♀️
I once had a coworker who asked his administrative assistant do just that. I couldn't believe it...
Brrrooo. Genius
Or they just don’t do their work at all but keep talking.
I'm sure that would work great if the issue was a talkative co-worker, but how to you politely disengage yourself from a talkative boss so you can do the work they've hired you to do?
Maybe say something like, "It's been great to talk...I probably need to get back to work you pay me for."
@@KenOkel LOL - yeah. That would probably work - thanks.
At work it's easier. You just get up and say "I have to work now. Talk later". Then leave. I mean you have the best reason in the world to leave. I have a chatty neighbour. She is nice but just wont stop talking. If you don't care about the relation it's not too hard but if you want to have a somewhat decent relation it's hard. So you keep finding these white little lies that doesn't feel so good in the long run. What is the solution in this case?
It's a problem I've faced too. Some people really get energized by chatting. I've realized that if I'm going out to check my mailbox, there's a good chance I'll run into my neighbor and that could mean a five minute conversation that I had not planned on. It's not ideal for me but it is good to have good relations with your neighbors.
I don’t feel this will work in my situation. She’s very bright, can multitask and our desks are near. The problem is when you engage in small talk with her she continues on into other things. Most of the time she’s giving her whole “back story.” I don’t want to say “Hey I really want to talk” When I really don’t…
Me and her are in the same office i am dying 😢
Kane..
It's my Boss ( the Dentist)...I'm a Dental Assistant and it's non stop!!!!😡🤬😡🤬😳
This doesnt work with my boss
In this case, you may need to use the Force. 😀
@@KenOkel My coworker is talkative. But all I do is crunch work while she is talking. 20 min later I start sending emails and she starts getting it.
Same thing every day.
In my case it's a he not a she he can talk about his childhood distant family and so on I'm tired
Tough break... good luck.