Misuse of a blackberry or PDA is a liability when it comes to leadership.
Recently I was interviewing a CFO of a Fortune 100 company about a coaching client of mine, who is one of his direct reports. We were talking about my client’s habit of whipping out his device during meetings and one-on-one conversations.
The feedback from my client’s peers, directs, and business partners was: “He needs to just put the damn thing away, it’s RUDE.” The CFO’s comment was: “I get it -- I do the same thing -- and my wife is always complaining about it.”
His wife is absolutely right.
In fact, this urge to whip it out is no rarity among senior executives. Particularly with those who have relational issues with others, which are prevalent in today’s world (e.g., in the sense of developing caring connections in the workplace, fostering team work, mentoring and developing others, etc.) For them in particular, but for all of us, the PDA is a tremendous issue.
Whether it’s a crutch, a time piece, an occupational tool for boring meetings, or a toy, pulling out your blackberry in meetings and conversation (or at dinner, for that matter) says to others, “I’ve got more important things going on than talking to you.” It can also suggest, “I’m on such thin ice that I can’t bear to be out of contact for a nanosecond.”
Take my advice for what it’s worth: when in conversation or meetings, turn your blackberry on silent mode, put it away, make eye contact with others, establish rapport, ask questions and engage.
Take all that energy you have to check your device, and spend it instead on relating to other humans where you are at this moment. Your people will be glad you put their needs ahead of whatever's on the small screen, and that bodes well for the relational aspects of leadership that are so highly correlated to success.