Drake SettsuProject Manager / BloggerHi, United States
What are your thoughts on banning cell phones in your meetings?
I have observed cell phones as a plus in a meeting to retrieve information and a big negative that causes distractions from the meeting. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
This is a tough one. I personally don't think it is justifiable. Many have family and children, so not able to be reached is not realistic. As professionals, it is everyone's responsibility to act as such, though we all know it is not always like that.
It is fair to ask everyone to turn their phone on vibrate, as well as acknowledge the importance of having their phone, but also the importance of the meeting and being present in the conversation.
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3 replies by Daniel Jean, Drake Settsu, and Kevin Drake
May 04, 2018 7:12 AM
Drake Settsu
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I agree with you Andrew. If only adults would act like professionals.
When I worked in the DoD we could not bring any cell phones in the meeting rooms.
May 04, 2018 7:47 AM
Kevin Drake
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I agree with you, as long as the people do not abuse it the etiquette.
May 10, 2018 11:00 AM
Daniel Jean
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I agree with you as well. It is bad etiquette to constantly look at your phone during a meeting
Saving Changes...
Drake SettsuProject Manager / BloggerHi, United States
May 04, 2018 7:02 AM
Replying to Drew Craig
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This is a tough one. I personally don't think it is justifiable. Many have family and children, so not able to be reached is not realistic. As professionals, it is everyone's responsibility to act as such, though we all know it is not always like that.
It is fair to ask everyone to turn their phone on vibrate, as well as acknowledge the importance of having their phone, but also the importance of the meeting and being present in the conversation.
I agree with you Andrew. If only adults would act like professionals.
When I worked in the DoD we could not bring any cell phones in the meeting rooms. Saving Changes...
This is a tough one. I personally don't think it is justifiable. Many have family and children, so not able to be reached is not realistic. As professionals, it is everyone's responsibility to act as such, though we all know it is not always like that.
It is fair to ask everyone to turn their phone on vibrate, as well as acknowledge the importance of having their phone, but also the importance of the meeting and being present in the conversation.
I agree with you, as long as the people do not abuse it the etiquette. Saving Changes...
Drake SettsuProject Manager / BloggerHi, United States
My suggestion is a collection jar for the pizza lunch for violators of the do not use your phone in a meeting unless it's an emergency. The fine is $1.00.
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2 replies by Kiron Bondale and Simon Olivier Guienguere
May 04, 2018 8:06 AM
Kiron Bondale
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Drake -
Another alternative is to give a team prize (e.g. lunch out) if they can get through a meeting with no one breaking the working agreements.
That way, social pressure will work to incent the right behavior rather than incent some to encourage others to break the rules so that lunch money accumulates.
Kiron
May 04, 2018 12:19 PM
Simon Olivier Guienguere
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I guess we all need to be responsible and understanding in first place why we are in the meeting. Banning cellphone may appear to decrease some distractions, however in some settings such hospitals, physicians need their pagers on.
Saving Changes...
Dinah YoungProject Manager / Software Asset Manager| Prince William CountySpringfield, Va, United States
Devices in meetings can be very distracting. I see many people bring their laptops, surface pros and phones into meetings. Whereas it is good to remain connected in case of emergencies, too many people allow them to distract from the purpose of the meeting. I see them doing other work and not participating in the meeting. I suspect part of the problem with that is too many meetings.
But, back to cell phones. If people must bring them into a meeting, then keep them on vibrate and off the table. I see them on the table and people looking at them every time they vibrate with a text message or email.
Just keep it professional and keep focus on what the meeting is about. Saving Changes...
My suggestion is a collection jar for the pizza lunch for violators of the do not use your phone in a meeting unless it's an emergency. The fine is $1.00.
Drake -
Another alternative is to give a team prize (e.g. lunch out) if they can get through a meeting with no one breaking the working agreements.
That way, social pressure will work to incent the right behavior rather than incent some to encourage others to break the rules so that lunch money accumulates.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
If not about banning cell phones. Is about to create the culture to behave as needed into the meetings. Banning cell phone is the easy way to deal with a cause. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
You can’t really ban cellphones but you can reinforce meeting ground rules. These days, many take notes on their pads or phone during meetings so they can share immediately and be more efficient. Saving Changes...
Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
I don't think it is practical to ban cell phones. When you are attending an important meeting, you can keep the phone out of sight and on vibrate mode. Saving Changes...
My suggestion is a collection jar for the pizza lunch for violators of the do not use your phone in a meeting unless it's an emergency. The fine is $1.00.
I guess we all need to be responsible and understanding in first place why we are in the meeting. Banning cellphone may appear to decrease some distractions, however in some settings such hospitals, physicians need their pagers on. Saving Changes...
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