Hold That Thought!

We’ve all had this moment: You’re deep into a Netflix binge. The storyline is building, you’re invested, maybe even on the edge of your seat. Then… buffering.

The little loading wheel spins. You wait. Maybe you switch tabs, check your messages. And by the time the show starts again, you’re not really back in it. You forgot who was mad at who. You’ve lost the thread.

That’s kind of what everyday work interruptions feel like. It’s not the big stuff—holidays, parental leave, or long breaks—it’s the small, sneaky ones:

• • An unexpected Zoom ping.

  • A teammate knocking on your door “just for a sec.”

  • A phone call that derails your train of thought.

For emerging leaders, learning how to handle these moments isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential. Because your ability to reboot quickly—and help your team do the same—can be the difference between a productive day and one that leaves everyone staring blankly at their screens.

📺 The Netflix Analogy: Interrupted and Disoriented

Let’s stick with Netflix for a minute. Imagine you’re watching a mystery thriller. Suddenly, the internet drops out right as the detective is about to reveal the killer. You run to reset the modem. Your phone rings. A housemate asks a question. You finally get the video going again—but now your head’s not in it. You rewind 30 seconds. You still don’t feel the suspense like before.

That’s what a minor work interruption does. It doesn’t just take time away—it takes context away. And context is everything.

Our brains thrive on momentum. When you’re focused, you’ve got a mental “playlist” going. You know what you’re working on, what’s next, and why it matters. A sudden interruption is like hitting pause, turning off the sound, and swapping the playlist for something random.

Even a 30-second disruption can cost 15–20 minutes of productivity while your brain tries to reload everything it just dropped.

🚧 Why These Micro-Interruptions Feel So Big

Let’s be honest: sometimes it feels silly to admit that a 3-minute chat totally derailed your focus. But here’s why that happens:

1. Cognitive Context is Fragile

When you're mid-task, you're juggling a bunch of mental tabs: facts, plans, next steps, emotional tone. Even a brief interruption causes you to close them, and reopening those tabs takes longer than you think.

2. Our Brain Doesn’t Multitask Well

You might think you can jump from writing a report to answering a Slack message to greeting a co-worker at your door—but your brain actually needs time to switch gears. What looks like multitasking is really just a series of slow reboots.

3. Emotional Energy Gets Disrupted Too

It’s not just facts you lose—it’s feel. If you were in a state of deep thinking or creative energy, an interruption can snap you into a completely different emotional mode: reactive, distracted, or stressed.

🧠 As an Emerging Leader, Here’s What You Can Do

Managing interruptions—your own and your team’s—is one of those underrated leadership skills that can quietly improve productivity, morale, and wellbeing. Here’s how to lead better through the chaos of the everyday:

1. Designate “Do Not Disturb” Zones

Help yourself (and your team) protect chunks of time for deep work. Even just one hour a day where Slack is silent, meetings are banned, and people know not to “pop by” can make a huge difference. Share your availability visibly (think: status updates, physical signs, or calendar blocks) so others know when not to interrupt.

2. Build In Reboot Time

After a Zoom call or an unexpected interruption, don’t expect to dive back in at full speed. Instead, make a quick pit stop: stand up, stretch, or take 60 seconds to reset. Literally say to yourself: “Okay, I was doing X before that happened. Now where was I?” This small step helps your brain reload the right tabs.

3. Coach Your Team on Respectful Interruptions

Emerging leaders often feel caught between “being accessible” and “protecting productivity.” It’s okay to teach your team that not every question needs an instant answer. Model this by asking, “Is this urgent or can we chat in 15?” That simple line helps everyone start being more intentional about when and how they interrupt.

4. Keep a Running 'Return-To' List

Keep a notepad or open doc where you jot quick reminders of where you left off before an interruption. Just a bullet point or two can help you jump back in later without trying to recall everything from memory.

5. Lead With Empathy When Others Are Interrupted

See someone struggling to regain focus after a call, a fire drill, or a surprise visit? Give them a minute. Don’t pile on questions or tasks immediately. Even better, ask: “Want a minute to reorient before we dive in?” That small gesture can lower stress and show real leadership.

🎬 Final Scene: Focus Is a Fragile Thing—Protect It

We tend to treat interruptions like they’re no big deal—just part of modern work. But for emerging leaders, understanding that how we handle these moments matters just as much as what we’re working on is a quiet superpower.

So next time your day starts buffering—when a Zoom alert dings or someone stops by your desk mid-thought—treat it like a scene break in a great show. Pause. Reorient. Take a breath. Then hit play again.

Because leadership isn’t about avoiding interruptions altogether. It’s about learning how to guide yourself and your team smoothly back into flow—no matter how many plot twists pop up.