My colleague and I attended a meeting recently where pleasantries were happily exchanged and professionalism seemed to be in full swing without the room feeling stuffy. Within a matter of minutes, the mood shifted.
While we were presenting our information, something we were invited to do, I noticed three out of the five people flipping through their smart phones. Can you can imagine how their choices made us feel?
As handy as they are, smart phones can be and are the culprit of much of the rudeness we see in America today. The phone’s resources are abundant, but they introduce nuances that are unacceptable.
No matter who we meet with, each person deserves our undivided attention. To choose phone surfing over the face to face meeting time tells others they are not relevant. Here are a few tips to keep us all smarter with our phones.
- When attending meetings, smart phones should be silenced and put away if they have nothing to do with the topics at hand. It’s in everyone’s best interest to perform this action because it protects the image of the organization and the business at hand.
- People are much more present when their fingers aren’t tasking through emails and peering at information that has nothing to do with the meeting.
- Let everyone know when and why you need your phone for the meeting. This way, you avoid any negative judgment.
- Apologize if your phone rings during a meeting. It happens.
Smart phones used by smart people make for poised and fruitful communication. Be smarter than your phone. You own it; it doesn’t own you.
Tiffany Nielsen is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer and President of Premier Etiquette located in Exeter, CA. She is co-author of the dynamic books, The Power of Civility and Incredible Business. Visit her website at www.tiffanynielsen.com for valuable resources and upcoming events.
Copyright 2012 Tiffany Nielsen. All Rights Reserved. To reprint, please contact Tiffany Nielsen at tiffany@tiffanynielsen.com for permission.
