How do you speak up in a group?

Answer 1

Group communication is a unique challenge for people who aren't particularly confrontational. When it comes to learning how to smoothly enter a conversation in a group context, I think there are a couple practical things to consider. First, group communication is a negotiation. The rules are made up by the participants, so there is no wrong or right way necessarily to speak up. Often, people find it difficult to speak up because they have some anxiety about interjecting, and they don't want to appear rude by interrupting. Anxiety about speaking up is normal, and is something that will be reduced through experience. As far as interrupting, I think that it is socially appropriate to insert yourself into a group conversation when you have something to say. Find an opening when someone is finishing a thought, or something you can easily bridge off of, and just speak up loudly and firmly enough that you aren't drowned out by a more eager participant. This also comes with practice. Sometimes we have to be a little rude to be heard, especially if your friends are big sharers. So long as your are generally agreeable and don't monopolize the conversation, people are unlikely to be offended that you shared your thoughts, even if there was a little rhetorical jostling involved.