How to Work with People Who Interrupt a Lot

Some interruption patterns are personal. Many are structural: unclear urgency, missing channels, or no shared quiet norms.

Separate urgent from convenient

Ask what truly needs immediate response and what can wait for a review window. Teams often interrupt because no one has defined the difference.

A shared note, office hours, status update, or decision queue can reduce drive-by questions without ignoring people.

Frame the change around better work, not annoyance. Boundaries work best when they are predictable and respectful.