Last night I sat on the plane next to a fellow from one of the railroads. He’d been to computer training for the railroad’s procurement software. He was marveling at all the amazing technology devices and tools available. His wife wants an integrated phone so she can keep track of the kids’ schedules.
“But it just adds so much stress,” he said. “Phones ringing all the time, people glued to their e-mail.”
It raises an important point I have often railed on. We put these great devices out there but fail to teach people how to properly use them. For example, I’ve encouraged my father not to answer his cell phone while in the men’s room. And I’ve told my mother to screen her calls using caller ID and let them roll to voicemail if she really cannot answer the phone. She’s been known to exit the shower dripping to answer the phone.
I see clients and colleagues trapped by their Blackberries in meetings. Not hearing, not responding, not being productive. I read an article just the other day about how such interruptions are hurting American productivity.
For communicators, it’s a golden opportunity. An opportunity to counsel, teach and direct. Not to mention impact the bottom line with improved productivity. Help your organization teach employees to take back control over their devices. Give them time to be thoughtful and creative. Give them the ability to actually finish something.
Particularly for our leaders, gaining control over devices is long overdue. How can we expect our leaders to be productive, visionary, insightful and good decision makers if they are constantly distracted.Â
As we use more and more electronic channels for employee communication, we must help our employees understand how to control these. Instant messaging, e-mail, voicemail, RSS feeds — all can and should be controlled – managed – for greater productivity.
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