[Image by Gerd Altmann of Pixabay]
In 2008 I produced a podcast titled Sensible Cell Phone Usage in which I addressed three factors about using cell phones, which were confidentiality, time management, and courtesy. Here we are in 2023, fifteen years later, and this is still an extremely apropos topic.
Most of us are tied into our smartphones for numerous reasons, both professionally and personally, but…this blog post is about being as smart as your smartphone. Let’s look at some do’s and don’ts about which we may have lost some perspective. They include the following:
- Be sure to account for the particular medium your contact person prefers to receive notifications such as in-person, telephone, email, or text.
- Do not text during face-to-face meetings.
- Speak softly when speaking into your smartphone in a public setting.
- Be more aware of the delay which occurs between when you speak using your smartphone and when your listeners hear you.
- Select a more professional sounding ring tone for your smartphone (e.g., not too loud, no profanity, not high-pitched).
- Use your silent mode when your smartphone ring tone may disturb others such as when attending meetings, performances, plays, or when in restaurants.
- When attending work-related meetings, avoid looking or checking your smartphone.
- Ensure that all your attention is directed toward the person or people that are with you such as your supervisor, peer, employee, etc. as opposed to giving your smartphone your attention.
- If you want to network, do so directly vs. relying on your smartphone.
- Do not use your smartphone to avoid interacting with other individuals.
- Unless necessary, or specifically asked to do so, do not fact-check while on a smartphone call.
- Avoid placing your smartphone on your lap.
- Keep personal calls private while at work.
- If you must take a personal call, be certain to verbally excuse yourself.
- Do not take photos unless authorized to do so and only use your flash as needed.
This list of suggested do’s and don’ts when using your smartphone will guide you professionally and assist you in being smart like your smartphone. As always, if you want to share your questions, comments, or if you’d like to bring up related topics, please either call me at 518-664-6004 or write me at dale@profitablespeech.com
Can’t wait to hear from you.