On multitasking during a conference call:
Well, I sent the client the message. Then I had to send him another one, this time with the attachment I had forgotten to append. Finally, my third email to him explained why that attachment wasn’t what he was expecting. When I eventually refocused on the call, I realized I hadn’t heard a question the Chair of the Board had asked me.
I see this (and do it) on a daily basis. It’s about time to consciously put destructive multitasking to an end.
Dev,
I couldn’t agree more with the results of applying a small amount of self discipline to the instant communications tools at our finger tips. As is true of all tools, they are not good nor bad, but are put to good and bad purposes by the people who use them. I believe there is a hierarchy of “common courtesy” that starts with who is directly in front of you. Respect for their time demands your full personal attention to them.
Voice mail is a great tool … let it work for you :-)