[gjvc]

"In my experience, people don’t dominate a conversation or interrupt others because they are unkind or power-hungry."

Suggests the author needs more experience of the workplace.

[dogma1138]

I've encountered an environment where they used something similar it was ridiculous.

It turns passive aggressiveness to 11, there will always be rude people or people with poor conversations skills.

However they are usually toned down because there is a limit to how much you can interrupt someone before people tell you off, especially if there is a line manager or a supervisor present.

Now you get stuck with some douche constantly using the disagree sign to your face, and worse it can be maintained throughout your entire speech forcing you to yield or tell them to sod off which means you lose.

It also doesn't really help new or shy team members if they don't want to express an opinion they won't regardless if it's verbal or smoke signals.

Improving meetings can easily be done by having a meeting captain and a clear agenda.

[Kadin]

I think the author comes across a bit doe-eyed (although this is perhaps just them taking a necessarily politic angle, given the venue of the article), but I also think what they're saying is generally true.

The vast majority of people aren't actively malicious. I'd go so far as to say the majority of people who would be described by their colleagues as "assholes" don't get up in the morning planning to be shitty. Typically, at least in my experience, it's the product of a vast intent / ability gap, usually in communications / EQ-type skills. They honestly think (generally, overestimate!) they're being constructive or "honest".

It'd be easier if they were all just sociopaths.

[pionar]

I'll admit, sometimes I interrupt others in meetings. I don't do it to be power-hungry or an asshole, I'm just excited about my thought.

I tell all my team members to call me out when I've interrupted. I usually catch myself, though, and apologize profusely.

[sjtgraham]

IMO it's important to assume positive intent.

[M_Grey]

Honestly, some people can spend their lives immersed in reality, but they never seem to actually realize what's going on. I'm not sure whether to pity, or envy, the oblivious.