How to handle a dismissive coworker during a meeting

The Situation

When a coworker consistently ignores your contributions or talks over you, it creates a subtle power imbalance. It is rarely about the specific topic being discussed and more about the dynamic in the room.

Strategy: The Pause and Pivot

Your goal is to reassert your presence without stopping the meeting flow abruptly. A calm acknowledgement and a steady pivot back to your point signals confidence.

Sample Response Scripts

• "I would like to finish my thought on the budget projections before we move to the next item."
• "I noticed you skipped over my point about the timeline. Can we revisit that briefly?"
• "Hold on just a second, I was not quite done with that section."

Common Mistakes

• Getting angry in the moment. This validates the dismissal and makes you appear reactive.
• Staying silent. This establishes a pattern that becomes harder to change later.
• Over-apologizing. Avoid starting with "Sorry, but..." when you did nothing wrong.

When to Escalate

If the behavior persists after direct intervention, document examples and ask your manager for a private conversation focused on meeting norms.