Connect With the People Around You

That wondrous little invention the smartphone has made it possible for people to be constantly connected. Not only can they connect with friends and family anywhere at anytime, but they can also connect with colleagues and associates … anywhere, anytime. The very same piece of technology that has drawn the world together has done much to separate those who are the closest geographically.

Here’s a little test: For the next hour, log the minutes you spend on your smartphone or tablet AND log every minute you spend in conversation with the people around you without looking at your device. How great is that difference?

While the benefits of technology are inarguable, one of the greatest downfalls is that it is now a constant in life.

You probably use your phone and other devices for work – almost all of us do. And it is expected of you. You do have to do your job, and you can’t ignore that call or email if it is for work. However, there comes a time when you need to put down the device and connect in the old-fashioned way. Talk to the people around you. Engage with your team. In an HBR article, Rasmus Hougaard and Jacqueline Carter cite research that suggests “the more a leader is present with their people, the better they will perform.”

Engaging isn’t only important at work. It is critical if you want to build stronger relationships in your personal life too. So make a conscious decision to put down the phone and spend some time connecting with people around you face-to-face. Those connections are priceless.