Comments on: Avoiding Electronic Interruptions

By: editor

editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:55:53 +0000

@Jenifer I love your fruit basket idea. What a fun way to modify the phone stack game @Jill mentioned. Thank you to everyone for sharing your thoughts and ideas for controlling your digital devices!

By: Jenifer Wilson

Jenifer Wilson — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:43:07 +0000

I become very frustrated when I host parties and it seems the attendees are constantly on their phones. To lighten the mood and keep my parties social, I put a “Fruit Basket” on the table for all the “Blackberries” and “Apples”. My friends had a great sense of humor about it, and I think we all had a better time without all the interruptions.

P.S. I even had one friend change her ringtone for her babysitter so she didn’t have to look every time there was a call. 🙂

By: Kerry

Kerry — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:04:14 +0000

Yes, in meetings and other large crowds, it can be hard to tell if individuals who are typing on a smart device are taking notes or something else. As a university professor with classes of around 80 students–all taking notes on their laptops or smart phones–it is hard to know who’s actually attending to the topic or emailing or what. I have taken the stance of assuming the best of others and not become upset at the first site of typing into a device. This keeps me in a far better mood, helps me avoid rushing to judgement, and allows others the freedom to use their devices to serve their own best purposes.

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:10:45 +0000

I’ve read a couple of articles online describing a new game “The Phone Stack”. When eating out with friends, all phones are put in the middle of the table and left to beep and buzz. The first one to pick up their phone before the meal is over picks up the check. I think it is brilliant. I’m not sure how to translate it to the business world, but it seems perfect for a night out with the girls.

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:33:17 +0000

Isn’t this a fascinating conversation – electronic too, no less! The problem with the electronic interruption is that it is so darn obvious. To use the best friend example from the beginning: In the bad old days, Chris may have APPEARED to be listening, but might have been totally distracted by something going on elsewhere. We can be upright, eyes open, but brain not present, with or without electronics. The human brain is a fickle thing.

By: grizzly bear mom

grizzly bear mom — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:08:16 +0000

True story: at my 2,000 member church, the pastor was about to conduct the introit and carry the bible down the aisle to the church alter and begin the service, when a woman held up 1 finger, asking him to wait for the end of her call. In this case I would recommend that we ask GOD how he would manage the situation, but I don’t have his cell number (giggle!.)

By: grizzly bear mom

grizzly bear mom — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:05:07 +0000

As a single without kids, I phone/text infrequently. It appears to me that if we trained ALL families/work personnel that only when we texted 911! should we answer immediately. It seems texts se are less disruptive than listening and talking on phones.

Also if you are taking notes on your device, say early: I’ll be taking minutes or George could you repeat that last point about the strategic human capital cost? so all know that you are WORKING and not otherwise which makes YOU appear unprofessional and distracts them. I was once typing a bosses comments into my computer when he stopped and told me to pay attention to him. I had to explain that was exactly what I was doing.

By: V Lipscomb

V Lipscomb — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:02:37 +0000

I am very glad this question was asked! The workplace and the home is an environment of several generations. Behavior one group considers rude and disrespectful, is considered common place by another. My experience with CC and the conscious effort to script situations in a ‘gentler, kinder way’ has led to big benefits for me. One is the ability to hold successfull conversations about student involvement with their personal technology devices during my classes. We have ‘rules of conduct.’ They are discused and decided upon by the class the first day of every class.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:02:38 +0000

Both my sister and my best friend text to me quite often. However, we’ve set a rule: texts need not be read or responded to immediately. They will phone me if it is very important, e.g., someone is ill or the like. I also consider it vital that phones/smart devices be turned on silent during meetings. Face to face trumps phones, always.

By: Tom Kregel

Tom Kregel — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:02:14 +0000

Here is another twist to the conversation. Offices are trying to go paperless. I have been in the habit of grabbing pens and notebooks (the spiral kind) when going to a meeting. I realized what a waste of time and energy it is to be carrying this stuff all over our 20 square block campus (the Mayo Clinic). A better solution is to take notes on my phone and email them to myself. This can also be done with the new pads, Nooks and Kindles. Given electronic note taking, no one knows if I am taking notes, texting or checking my emails. If I do attempt to do anything other than take notes, my attention becomes divided and my meeting performance goes down. However, I admit that it is a temptation to answer emails and keep my remote coworkers on task by answering their queries. It may also be one of those low priority monthly department update meetings and it has paused due to electronic difficulties connecting to remote locations.
When I do use an electronic device for notes I can tell some people are irritated. They may be assuming I am not paying attention. It all comes down to maximizing productivity for me and my coworkers. This may be a cultural shift that the next generation will have an easier time dealing with. We all need to develop internal monitors to signal if we are not fully engaged. We also need to learn not to judge others by the old queues, and go back to looking for the signs that we are heard by others.
I agree completely with the article on the need for engaged communication with less electronic interruptions but we need to be aware that some of the obsolete signs of disengagement may not always be accurate.