Why Attention Matters

You never really want to feel like you have your back against someone when they're speaking, so why are you on the phone in zoom meetings?

We've been through a conundrum, haven't we. Stayed home, worked in sweatpants and nice button down tops, Zoom and Teams, meeting in the digital sphere and here we are...

We shall not let this take away from our attention though and here's why: Attention span is everything. It shows your presence, it shows your awareness and today, Zoom ettiequte and digital ettiequte can either be amazing or not so amazing. Look, not everyone is a great storyteller in our meetings. Not everyone has the charisma of your favorite actor or TV personality or even your favorite mentor or public speaker, but we can give them our attention.

Providing your full attention on Zoom when someone is speaking is such an act of courtesy. It's an act that you SHOW your legacy, it's an act of integrity and when you speak, you would want the same.

I find that if someone is on their phone and there are 8 or more members on a zoom, participants do get distracted from that phone distraction. It brings down the aura and the vibe because we begin to humanly feel bad for the person speaking because one or two people are on their phones.

The psychological effect is real. It also trips people up. If someone is speaking and presenting and others are on their phone or not paying attention, it's acutely aware and it can make the person speaking feel awkward, less than and uninteresting mentally.

I've seen people do their laundry on zoom, I've seen it all. What I can say is this: If you're on a call and it's 30 mins or an hour, be fully present. You have your entire rest of the day or night to be on your darn phone. The digital device does not have to consume. The same thing happens when you're driving. Why do you feel like you need the damn phone so bad to read a text? You don't. You simply don't.

So when you show up to your next digital / virtual meeting, the more present you are the more of a gift you bring not only to a speaker, but to the entire group.

And until we can have in person events in the future or meetings, make it your calling to provide eye contact, nod your head, use emoji, clap virtually, write in the chat and enjoy yourself, because WHY NOT?

That is all... communication is active listening. Need more advice? Let's talk.