Penelope Mavor has written to The Guardian, suggesting that active listening can be a way to manage individuals she describes as 'conversational hoggers'. Mavor, Director of Earth Converse, stated that listening is not a passive act and that sometimes interruption can be a 'courageous act' to bring a speaker back when they have lost connection with their audience.
Mavor's letter references an article by Anita Chaudhuri published on 13 September titled 'But enough about you …’ How to survive in a world of monologuists, interrupters and trauma dumpers. Mavor noted that the article reminded readers they have options in such situations.
Reflecting on her own experiences as a 'people pleaser and introvert', Mavor stated she has encountered many 'monologuists' and has learned to consider her own role in conversations, including how she listens and speaks.