This is a hijack!
(Approx. 3 minute read)
From the late 1960s through to the mid-1980s hijacking of planes was a regular thing. A group of people would board a plane with some kind of agenda and divert it by getting the crew to fly the plane somewhere else. They would announce “This is a hijack, nobody do anything silly.”
The plane would be taken to a different airport where it would sit on the tarmac and the world media would point their cameras at it; everybody had their fingers crossed for the passengers and a good outcome.
This happens frequently in life when we are talking. People will come along and steal your airspace, hijack your story halfway through it. Bang, somebody pipes up with their own story and steers the whole conversation to them, their own airport. They have hijacked your story. It happens so often in life and I suspect it happens to introverts much more than extroverts.
People can do this for a number of reasons, they might be completely unaware of other people and think the world is all about them (see previous blog); they could think they are adding to the story, even though they are cutting you off, or they may think they are genuinely helping out by offering a similar story. None of this helps.
I am aware that I can get over excited and talk a lot, I know that. So, over the years I have made a conscious effort to hold myself back and really give other people space. It works well when people just listen, that is it, it’s that simple. No jumping in with “Oh that happened to me” or “you think that is funny you should hear what happened to my brother.” That is hijacking.
Let the other person finish their story and may be ask them “Have you finished?” That is the time you can add your bit. Hijacking a conversation is commonplace unfortunately, we have all been hijacked and our story have been diverted away from us. It’s annoying and can be rude.
I often ask people to let me finish or if they are in full flow I will gently put my hand on their arm or shoulder, smile and ask them if I can finish. Sitting and listening to a whole story can be hugely rewarding especially when you don’t feel the need to jump in. Try it.
So don’t get hijacked, get your story out and make sure you are listened to. Nobody wants to be hijacked and end up in Sydney (apologies Sydney) when you should have been landing in Mauritius.
PS always remember to keep what you are saying on point, don’t hijack your own story, the listeners might what to try and find a parachute and jump.
