Everyone is talking about the way smartphones have changed business. And everyone includes all executives. Some of the talk is about the ways the new technology has led to wonderful things such as the ability to work anywhere and how you never have to get lost again.
Unfortunately the negative talk seems to overwhelm the positive. “No one can pay attention any more”, “in meetings people just check their email”, “you can’t have a conversation with someone without being interrupted by the phone”.
Now there is research showing a more serious problem: reduction in ability to function…and loss of IQ. Really. What is this doing to the results of your company? Even if you’re doing well, think how much better you might be doing with your people working at their optimal ability…and with full IQ.
Are you the problem?
Do you enable this behavior? Do you set an example of self control or are you one of the worst offenders? Do you leap to answer the phone or check your email constantly no matter what is going on around you? Do you set aside blocks of “no phone time” to concentrate on important issues or are you setting the tone of responding to the instant trivial rather than the truly important?
In most businesses there is an avalanche of immediate but relatively unimportant things calling for you attention…and these days I really mean calling. Most of these things are symptoms of some deeper issue. But the important issues get pushed aside for these immediate interruptions and so tend to fester and lead to more and more symptoms dropping in on you. It’s a vicious cycle.
Discipline yourself and set an example. Exert self control and refuse to allow the phone to control you. Refuse to be constantly available and drawn into everything. It only leads to micromanagement and an unwillingness of others to make a decision and be accountable.
Constant interruptions disrupt your ability to think, to ponder, to strategize, to plan…to be a leader. It leads to rudeness, lack of connection, and the destruction of casual conversation and quiet time. It destroys community and team connection.
Much that executives, and others, do requires concentrated thinking and effort devoid of interruptions. Set an example.
You well know that the leader sets the tone, the culture, the way of acting of the entire organization. Show people that the immediate is not the highest priority, the important is. Show people you value them and trust them to act correctly so are not available all the time to make decisions. Let your people know that you value, and hope they do, quiet time to think and delve deeply into issues.
Return to the days when your phone was a tool and not your boss.