Aspirin Approach to Making Interruptions Go Away
If you are interrupted too often by a complaining co-worker, the solution is in 3 little words:
Appreciation
Situation
Action
The first letters are ASA, which my medical friends tell me is the medical abbreviation for acetylsalicylic acid, which is aspirin.
Appreciation sounds like this: “Fred, I hear what you’re saying. It sounds important.”
Stating your situation sounds like this: “Fred, I’m up to my ear lobes in this project. I have a noon deadline. Now is not a good time to talk.
Action sounds like this, “Write down 3 possible solutions and meet me at 3pm today or would 4 be better for you?”
In a gentle way you just told the interrupter, “Get lost.” Rarely will the chronic interrupter won’t show up at 3 because they’ll solve the problem themselves, it’ll go away, or they’ll go bug someone else.
The key to being able to do this and not hurt the relationship is the word “action.” People are not too bothered by being told, “No.” What gets them bent out of shape can be your apparent lack of interest as evidenced by your lack of action. Saying, “Go away” is harsh. Saying, “Let’s talk at 3 or 4,” is caring.
Here’s a smart side note, if you say this to the same person a dozen times, what’ll he think the next time he’s cursing the cubicles looking for someone to complain to? “You’re no fun.” That’ll make your headache go away!
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