Monopolizing the Conversation: Ever Tried to Share Something—Only to Have the Entire Conversation Hijacked?
You start talking about something important to you. Maybe it’s a challenge you’re facing, an exciting update, or just a thought you want to share.
In discussions, some individuals are adept at monopolizing the conversation, often making everything about themselves.
Within seconds…
💥 They cut you off and start talking about themselves.
💥 They twist your story into something that relates to them.
💥 They shift the entire focus of the conversation onto THEIR experiences.
And when you try to redirect the conversation back?
💥 They either ignore it, dismiss it, or find another way to steer it back to themselves.
Maybe you’ve heard:
❌ “That reminds me of when I…” (Suddenly, it’s about them.)
❌ “Oh, that’s nothing! Let me tell you what happened to ME.”
❌ “Yeah, but here’s what I went through…”
❌ “You think THAT’S bad? Wait until you hear MY story.”
❌ “Let’s not dwell on this. Anyway, did I tell you about my new project?”
At first, you think maybe they’re just excited to contribute.
Then, you notice it happens EVERY time.
And before you know it, you stop bothering to share anything at all—because what’s the point if they’ll just make it about them?
That’s monopolizing the conversation—a narcissistic manipulation tactic where they dominate discussions, dismiss others’ experiences, and keep the spotlight on themselves at all times.
If you’ve ever felt like every conversation somehow turns into a self-promotion event for someone else, you’ve been targeted by one of the most frustrating power plays in narcissism.
Let’s break down why they do it, how it affects you, and how to shut it down using the IMC Method™.
What Is Monopolizing the Conversation? (And Why Narcissists Do It)
Monopolizing conversations isn’t just enthusiasm—it’s control. It’s used to:
✅ Keep attention, validation, and admiration focused on them.
✅ Minimize other people’s voices and experiences.
✅ Ensure they remain the most important person in every interaction.
It works because most people are polite and won’t aggressively push back when interrupted or overshadowed. The narcissist exploits this by making every discussion about THEM until others give up trying to contribute.
🔥 Talking over people isn’t social excitement—it’s social domination. 🔥
How Monopolizing the Conversation Works (And Why It’s So Toxic)
Narcissists use interrupting, dismissing, and self-centered storytelling to turn every discussion into their personal stage.
Monopolizing in Action: The Narcissist’s Playbook
🔹 Turning Every Topic Into Themselves – No matter what you say, they connect it to THEIR experience.
🔹 Dismissing Your Experiences – They act like their version of events is more interesting or important.
🔹 Interrupting Constantly – They don’t let you finish a thought before cutting in with their own.
🔹 Derailing Conversations – They shift the topic before anyone else can contribute.
🔹 Fishing for Praise – They bring up accomplishments out of nowhere to get admiration.
🚨 Then, the shift happens. 🚨
🔹 You start feeling invisible in conversations.
🔹 You get frustrated, but trying to redirect feels impossible.
🔹 You notice they never show genuine interest in YOUR life.
🔹 You eventually stop sharing because it never goes anywhere.
Over time, this makes you:
⚠️ More withdrawn in conversations, knowing you won’t be heard.
⚠️ Less confident in expressing yourself.
⚠️ Easier to manipulate, since they’ve trained you to accept a secondary role in discussions.
And THAT is the goal—to make sure they always have center stage while everyone else fades into the background.
🔥 Monopolizing conversations isn’t enthusiasm—it’s erasure. 🔥
How to Respond to Conversation Monopolizers (IMC Method™)
You don’t stay silent, wait for a turn that never comes, or accept being sidelined. Why? Because monopolizing conversations only works if you let them keep the floor.
Instead, you use the IMC Method™ (Identify, Minimize, Control) to interrupt their dominance, reclaim space, and set conversational boundaries.
1. IDENTIFY: Recognize When They’re Hijacking the Conversation
The first step is realizing that their behavior isn’t accidental—it’s intentional.
✅ Ask yourself: Do they ever show genuine interest in others?
✅ Notice the pattern. Do they ALWAYS steer things back to themselves?
✅ Trust your instincts. If you feel like your voice is being drowned out, that’s because it is.
💡 Example: If they interrupt you to talk about themselves, instead of letting it go, respond with:
✔️ “I wasn’t finished. Let me finish my thought first.”
🔥 Why It Works: You assert your right to be heard instead of passively letting them take over.
2. MINIMIZE: Stop Letting Them Control the Discussion
Monopolizing conversations only works if you let them keep derailing every topic.
✅ Redirect the conversation when they try to hijack it.
✅ Refuse to engage when they dismiss your experiences.
✅ Make it clear when it’s time to let others contribute.
💡 Example: If they cut you off and shift the focus, instead of backing down, respond with:
✔️ “We were talking about [original topic]. Let’s get back to that.”
🔥 Why It Works: You don’t allow them to dictate the flow of conversation.
3. CONTROL: Set Boundaries & Hold Your Space in Conversations
Narcissists monopolize conversations to establish dominance—so you take control by making it clear that everyone deserves a voice.
✅ Speak up when they try to bulldoze others.
✅ Call out their pattern if it becomes excessive.
✅ If necessary, disengage and talk to people who actually listen.
💡 Example: If they constantly dismiss others’ contributions, instead of tolerating it, respond with:
✔️ “Let’s make sure everyone gets a chance to speak.”
🔥 Why It Works: You set a firm expectation that conversations are a two-way street.
What Happens When You Stop Playing Their Game?
When you refuse to let them dominate discussions, the narcissist loses one of their easiest sources of validation.
They might:
⚠️ Get irritated that they’re not the center of attention.
⚠️ Accuse you of being rude for not letting them take over.
⚠️ Fish even harder for ways to turn the focus back onto them.
🚨 Stay strong. Their reaction is proof that they rely on monopolizing conversations to feed their ego.
The more you hold your ground and make space for balanced discussions, the weaker their influence becomes.
Final Thought: Your Voice Deserves to Be Heard—Not Talked Over
Monopolizing conversations is designed to erase you—but you don’t have to accept it.
✔️ You don’t have to sit in silence while they dominate every discussion.
✔️ You don’t have to accept one-sided conversations where only their experiences matter.
✔️ You don’t have to stay in spaces where your voice is constantly ignored.
If someone never lets you finish a thought, they’re not listening—they’re controlling.
🔹 For full IMC Method™ strategies and free tools, visit our linked blog series. Tired of the Narcissistic Mind Games? Get the Tools to Break Free.