Shutting people up in meetings
In this short instructional video, Alastair Wallace addresses the common workplace problem of participants who dominate meetings with excessive detail—often called over‑explainers or mansplainers/womansplainers. He explains why this behavior harms group dynamics, wastes time, and can make others feel patronised. Wallace then provides concrete, respectful tactics for managers: a public, on‑the‑spot phrase to gently interrupt (“Andrew, can I stop you there…?”) that refocuses the discussion on the decision at hand, and a private coaching line for repeat offenders that acknowledges the person’s expertise while asking them to verify what the group already knows. He frames these interventions as protecting the meeting’s most valuable currency—time—without humiliating the speaker. Finally, he offers a free “Say It First” guide for managers who want more scripted language for awkward moments, linking it to the video description.
