Handling Multitaskers
Please Come Back When You Can Focus on Me
May I Have Your Attention, Please?
How do you handle other people who multitask when they should be focused on you?
Years ago, back in the days when cell phones were the size and weight of bricks, an associate of mine suggested going to lunch. After we were seated, she pulled out her phone and placed it on the table.
Within three minutes, it rang — and she spent almost the entire time we were in the restaurant taking calls, chatting with (apparent) friends, giving professional advice (she was a mobile veterinarian), and scheduling appointments.
It was worse than eating alone. I never found out why she wanted to meet with me — and I never had lunch with her again.
It was also a sign of things to come. Cell phones have evolved into smartphones and the occasional cell phone call during a lunch or meeting has escalated into a steady stream of texts, emails, social media posts, and more.
Yes, I confess I’ve used my phone when it wasn’t appropriate — even to the point of exchanging texts during church with a friend who was in the choir loft while I sat in the back of the sanctuary.
But I don’t let my phone serve as a weapon of mass rudeness.
The reality is: human beings cannot focus on more than one thing at a time. When we think we’re multitasking, we’re really just ricocheting from one thing to another and back — and we’re not doing anything well.
That should be reason enough not to multitask by texting or taking calls when you’re with someone, but here’s something else: It’s just rude. Period. And it wastes the time of the person who is trying to focus on the actual issue at hand.
Responding to Multitaskers
Some of the things I’ve either done or thought about doing in response to multitaskers include:
- Calling them out.
- Rescheduling the meeting (and doing it with a bit of snark).
- Walking away.
I’ve also found that it’s effective to begin a meeting by pulling out my own phone, making a show of turning it off and saying something like, “I want to be able to focus on what we’re doing, so I’m going to shut my phone off.” That often prompts others to do the same.
A colleague suggested this approach if someone takes a call during a meeting: Ask if they need the assistance of the entire group to resolve the obviously essential issue that just came up or whether they need to take the call outside so the others don’t eavesdrop on their business.
The issue of multitasking isn’t always one of cell phone use. I’ve had business associates and clients read documents and hold side meetings during time that was scheduled with me. It’s annoying, offensive, and has a negative impact on our relationship.
The only solution I can see is to set a good example by focusing on the people I’m with. If you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them.
A version of this article was originally published on my site at CreateTeachInspire.com. You can reach me there or email me at [email protected]
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