When every question to an employee winds up with a long-winded answer, there are some strategies to help temper the verbal storm.
The first is to set the stage before you ask your question. You can use “I” words so that she does not sense any criticism such as by saying, “I don’t have much time, so I just need a brief answer.”
If this employee still answers with a verbal hurricane, you can wait until she takes a breath and then interject a comment. People who are nonstop talkers are used to being interrupted, and they typically do not take much offense to it. You can certainly say something like, “I don’t need that much detail. What is the answer?” However, there is a very effective interjection before this is to say her name, pause, and then make your comment. A person’s name has a strong emotional charge, and using it this way can pierce through her verbiage and actually give her pause. And that’s exactly what you want.
In addition, on those occasions where she does cut to the chase, be sure to provide her with positive feedback for doing so. When she receives positive reinforcement for keeping her comments brief, she is more likely to repeat this behavior, rather than repeat herself.
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