Honor People by Prioritizing Them over Technology
Many years ago, back when smartphones first entered the workforce, I attended an industry convention. I wanted to be present in the moment. I sat at a round table with nine others to eat lunch. The keynote address would soon follow.
As each attendee at my table finished eating, they pushed away their plates and pulled out their smartphones. One by one, they gave the device their full attention, as if its contents were all that mattered.
Soon, my nine compatriots had their noses buried in their electronic gadgets.
I did not. I sought to be present in the moment. My efforts were in vain, however, because I sat alone with nine others who didn’t care about talking or being present. The distant call of non time-sensitive information beckoned.
As the emcee introduced our keynote speaker, I expected them to stow their phones. They did not. Surely, once he began his address, they’d give him their full attention. They did not.
Their companies had sent them there to learn. But they were not fully engaged. In addition, most conference attendees say they learn the most during the informal times between the scheduled speakers.
Our lunch would qualify. Yet they missed that opportunity too. And then there’s networking, the tertiary benefit of attending conventions. But they weren’t attempting that either.
It’s as if the convention were a distraction from whatever interesting information their smartphones offered. Though their bodies were present, their minds were distant.
Smartphone preoccupation is epidemic. It has infiltrated work, home, and social settings. At the first hint of idle time, users retrieve their phones and give them their focus.
It’s also become an acceptable distraction whenever someone becomes bored or in situations when they don’t know what to say or do. It stands as an acceptable alternative to being present in the moment and giving people around them their attention.
More recently, I’ve seen this smartphone distraction occur at sporting events, both at professional contests and at kids’ games.
For the first, they paid a lot of money to be there. Yet they failed to watch all of it because they let their phones divert their attention.
For the latter, I presume they showed up to support their kids. But they didn’t. At best, their minds were only partially present, as they diverted their attention to their devices. Their kid made a move worthy of celebration, but they missed it.
Smartphone distraction occurs in other settings too. More than once, I’ve seen a child check to see if their parents noticed what they just did. Disappointment covered their face when they realized their parents were oblivious to what occurred.
Too often I’ve heard a child beg, “Watch me, Mommy!” or “Daddy, see what I’m doing!” At best, the parent glanced up, gave an approving nod, and mumbled a halfhearted affirmation as they resumed scrutinizing their phone.
Put your phones away! Be present in the moment. Your kids will grow up fast. They may move away and not have time for you. But that’s okay. They learned it from you.
When I got my smartphone, I pledged to not be one of those people. By intention, I have no social media apps on my phone. I only recently installed email on it, which I’ve only used one time. Seriously. Just once.
I promised myself that when in the company of others, I would only pull out my phone for emergencies. I then added one other use for my phone when I’m with people. It’s to check on something relevant to our conversation. Other than that, it stays tucked away.
I want to be present in the moment, fully engaged. I strive to give people my priority and relegate my smartphone to its rightful place, which is out of sight. That’s where it belongs and where it will stay, even if I must squirm in awkward silence.
That’s because people matter so much more than the distractions of posts and pics.
Life Lesson We must put our smartphones away and strive to be present in every moment.
Read more in Peter Lyle DeHaan’s Sticky Series books, including Sticky Living, Sticky Customer Service, Sticky Sales and Marketing, and Sticky Leadership and Management featuring his compelling story-driven insights and tips.
Peter Lyle DeHaan is an entrepreneur and businessman who has managed, owned, and started multiple businesses over his career. Common themes at every turn have included customer service, sales and marketing, and leadership and management.
He shares his lifetime of business experience and personal insights through his books to encourage, inspire, and occasionally entertain.