Your phone? How’s it working for you? Do you love it?
In a world where professional presence matters more than ever, it’s important to be aware of ways that you can polish up professionally.
Recently, at the end of a business meeting, while everyone was packing up their things and saying “Goodbye,” a new person, who I had invited, started texting. As people said, “See you later,” and “Great to meet you,” my guest kept texting, barely looking up from her phone, like phone freeze.
She was the last person to leave the meeting, so I was trying to make conversation, as I walked her to the door. She kept texting. Finally, I said, “I don’t want to interrupt you, but is everything ok?” “Oh yeah. It’s fine. I’m just making dinner plans with a friend, and I’m letting them know I’m running late.”
What?
I wanted to say, “Could you have waited 30-seconds ‘til you got to your car?” But, I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to offend her, but I was offended.
The next day, a colleague came to my office. After I took her coat and she settled into a chair, she held her phone, looked at me and said, “I’m going to silence this, because I respect our time together.”
Wow!
Then, she powered it down, put it away, and our meeting started.
This small gesture spoke volumes about her confidence and intention to connect with me. I felt important.
For the next 30-days, be aware of how YOU treat other people & how YOU want to be treated, and how something as small but mighty, like “cell phone civility” can help build relationships and trust.
You may love your phone, but it doesn’t love you back. Don’t miss the chance to really connect with someone who may be right in front of you. You never know where that relationship will go.
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