Four Hidden Reasons You Might Be Rambling At Work

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING TALKATIVE. BUT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, DIALING IT BACK CAN WIN YOU PROFESSIONAL POINTS.
BY ANETT GRANT

Several years ago, someone sent me a Fortune 100 executive for coaching. His main problem? “He talks too much.”

I was curious to see what that would look like. So when I met with him, I asked a question that required some elaboration. He ended up rambling for 45 minutes nonstop. I was exhausted. When I recovered, I decided that first, I needed to help him figure out why he talked so much. Once we got that down, then we tackled how to be concise and deliver more impact.

Maybe someone told you that you need to be more succinct when you speak. Don’t feel bad—science is to blame. Humans are programmed by evolution to be chatty; we use verbal communication to survive. But some of us are more talkative than others, and there’s hardly a clear-cut, universal definition for what constitutes excessive chatter in which situations. To help you figure out whether you’re your office rambler, it helps to unpack some of the most common motivations for talking a lot at work. Here’s when and why you might be overdoing it—and what to do instead.

1. You Want Feedback

You might be guilty of this if you always need to know what people think. Subconsciously, your mind is probably telling you that you’ll get the feedback you want, eventually, if you keep talking. Sure, this might be true in some cases. But even then, the person you’re chatting with might give feedback just to shut you up.

Next time you catch yourself wondering what the other person thinks, make your point immediately, and then ask them for feedback (rather than ramble until they interrupt you). You’re more likely to get an honest answer this way.

2. You’re Anxious

You probably talk a lot when you’re anxious, so you can get into a rhythm and ultimately calm yourself down. Unfortunately, you’ll just end up creating a vicious cycle. Going on and on isn’t likely to shut down your negative self-chatter. In fact, it might make it even worse.

Going on and on isn’t likely to shut down your negative self-chatter—it might make it worse.

Instead of using talking as a crutch for your nerves, try pausing and taking a deep breath before you speak. Give yourself permission to collect your thoughts. The silence might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s far better than rambling through your anxiety and potentially saying something you’ll regret.

3. You’re Not Prepared

Sometimes rambling happens simply because you haven’t thought through what you want to say. When you’re caught off guard or haven’t prepared adequately, you might fill the space with words—any words—hoping that somewhere in the stream of consciousness, a coherent point will emerge.

The fix here is straightforward: prepare more thoroughly. Before important meetings or conversations, write down the key points you want to make. Practice articulating them concisely. If you’re asked a question you’re not ready for, it’s perfectly acceptable to say, “That’s a great question. Let me think about that for a moment” or “Can I get back to you on that after I’ve reviewed the details?”

4. You Think More Words Equal More Value

There’s a common misconception that talking more demonstrates expertise or adds value. In reality, the opposite is often true. The most respected professionals are usually those who can distill complex ideas into clear, concise statements. Quality trumps quantity every time.

Challenge yourself to make your point in half the words you think you need. Before speaking, ask yourself: “What’s the one thing I need this person to understand?” Lead with that, and save the supporting details for follow-up questions if they arise.

Being talkative isn’t inherently bad—enthusiasm and engagement are valuable traits. But learning to recognize when and why you’re rambling can help you communicate more effectively and make a stronger professional impression. The goal isn’t to stop talking; it’s to make every word count.