Methods and systems for managing a radio communication group call. One system includes a call controller configured to be communicatively coupled to a first communication device, a second communication device and a third communication device. The call controller includes an electronic processor configured to establish a half-duplex group call between the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device. The processor receives, from the second communication device, an audio signal and receives, from the first communication device, a soft preemption talk request. The electronic processor establishes, in response to receiving the soft preemption talk request, a full-duplex private call between the first communication device and the second communication device and transmits audio of the full-duplex private call to the third communication device.