How to interrupt?

[biscuitdunkerette]

I line mange a couple of people. They are both enthusiastic, but have been lacking confidence for different reasons, which I've been working on building, as well as helping them to build experience and competence in their roles.

One thing I struggle with is how each of them communicate (separately) with me. They each give a huge volume of information when we are discussing something, or I've asked a question. They seem unable/unwilling to 'summarise' and need to tell the whole story. I've noticed they do this with others too, not just me. It's taking up lots of my time and brain space.

How to politely but effectively 'interrupt' when they start on a big long explanation of something, without denting their confidence or being rude? And how to get them to summarise the situation/problem/outcome without giving me chapter and verse all the time?

I have a nice relationship with each of them that I'd like to maintain.

I don't think it's about interrupting. It's about setting the expectations and supporting them to give you the information you need. At the start of the convo say 'give me the top 3 headlines', 'tell me your biggest concern'. If after that they do ramble, I would say 'that's all really good information, but I need you to tell me x,y,x'. And then keep repeating.

"Give me the headlines" is pretty good.

I suspect they are struggling to know whats the important info whats not and how to summarise.
So i woukd ask for the main headlines when they give loads of detail I would summarise it for them at regular intervals until they get the hand of it.
Being able to pick out the pertinent details is a skill.

Hang not hand

Coach them on what's the right level of information to give you. I have to do this all the time with my direct reports. As for interrupting them, something like "I'll just stop you there..." and then prompt the information you need by asking the key questions. No need to politely sit and listen to them ramble on through the whole things! But make sure you explain why.

Love PP's suggestion of "top 3 and your biggest concern". And you can also pitch it as coaching them to brief more senior people too.

Thanks so much each of you for this advice, it’s great. Really appreciate you taking the time to reply.