Have you ever been in an international Zoom call where everyone is speaking so fast that you can’t find a single second to share your idea?

Many Indonesian professionals are taught that interrupting is rude. However, in global business culture—especially in Western or fast-paced trading environments—waiting for a long silence often means you never get to speak. Your silence might be misinterpreted as a lack of ideas or agreement, even when you have something valuable to say.

The secret to being heard isn’t speaking louder; it’s using “Signposting Phrases” to claim your space politely.

1. The “Jump-In” Phrase

When the conversation is moving fast and you have a quick point to add, use a “soft” interruption. This signals that you are engaged.

• Try this: “Sorry to jump in, but I’d like to add a quick point here.”

• Why it works: It acknowledges the interruption (“Sorry”) but immediately moves to the value you are adding.

2. The “Clarification” Interruption

If you didn’t catch a specific detail (like a budget figure or a deadline), don’t wait until the end of the meeting to ask. It’s better to clarify immediately.

• Try this: “Could I just stop you there for a second? I want to make sure I understood the timeline correctly.”

• Why it works: It shows you are paying close attention and care about the accuracy of the information.

3. The “Idea-Sharing” Bridge

Use this when you want to pivot the conversation toward a suggestion or a new perspective.

• Try this: “If I may weigh in on this, I think we should also consider the local distribution costs.”

• Why it works: “Weigh in” is a sophisticated business phrasal verb that makes you sound like a high-level consultant or manager.

4. The “Parking” Technique

If someone is talking too long and the meeting is losing focus, you can politely “park” their idea to move forward.

• Try this: “That’s a great point, [Name]. Can we ‘park’ that for our next session so we can finish the current agenda?”

• Why it works: It shows leadership and time-management skills.

Practice Tip: The 3-Second Rule

Next time you are in a meeting, don’t wait for a 5-second silence. As soon as you hear a 1-second pause, use one of the phrases above.

The goal of a meeting isn’t to have perfect grammar; it’s to achieve a business result. By using these phrases, you show your team that you are a confident, active participant in that result.

Is your team struggling to speak up in international calls? Confidence is a skill that can be coached. Book a Free Trial with Simply English and let’s help your staff find their voice in every meeting.