If you and I were sitting in my living room having a conversation, would it seem strange if I picked up a magazine and started flipping through it while you were speaking? Of course it would - that's just plain rude. It sends the message that "you bore me". Now, replace the magazine with a smartphone - bingo. Unintentionally, many of us are sending the message that whatever we are looking at our our smartphone is more important than the people around us. Imagine the message that we send as leaders when we do this. Don't get me wrong, I like being connected - and I love the convenience of being able to access email and look things up on google as a need arises but I think we also need to be able to be present and focus on what is happening now in front of us too. The next time you are in a business meeting or having a conversation with a friend, I encourage you to put your phone away. I promise the world won't stop - and for just a few minutes, you will really connect.

#mobilephone #addictedtomobilephone #connected