There aren’t many things more annoying that someone who is distracted and distracts others by texting during a meeting. The message that person sends is that his/her time is more important than that of anyone else at the table.
Here are five approaches you can use to eliminate electronic distractions during meetings:
Five Ways to Eliminate Calls and Texting During Meetings
- At the beginning of a meeting, take out your own phone and say, “Before I start, I’m going to turn off my phone and put it away. Can I ask you to do the same?”
- Make people pay one dollar on the spot if their phone rings during meeting.
- Make an announcement “Thanks for turning off your phone.”
- Ask “Can I ask for a commitment that none of us will text or check messages during this short, important meeting?”
- If someone does start reading or texting under the table, stop talking and just look at them.
Have your say. Please be nice and stay on topic