Management Tip of the Day: Take Off Your Headphones

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile AUGUST 24, 2012 Take Off Your Headphones If you wear headphones at work you may feel they drown out distractions and help you focus. But headphones — whether you're listening to music or not — also isolate you from your work environment and that can have negative consequences. When you're cut off from the informal conversations going on around you, you miss out on the opportunity to contribute to meaningful discussions about work and form bonds with your colleagues. The more you participate in the ambient, informal life of the office, the more committed you'll be to the work of the company. If you need intense focus, wear your headphones every once in a while. But don't make it a habit. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Workers, Take Off Your Headphones" by Anne Kreamer. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Ebooks on HBR HBR Press Get instant access to 30 of HBR Press's bestselling books including: The First 90 Days, Blue Ocean Strategy, The Innovator's Dilemma, Leading Change, Understanding Michael Porter, and the entire HBR's 10 Must Reads series — without the hassle and cost of shipping. Visit our ebook page to browse all 30 titles and learn more about this exciting new offering. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS See the Big Picture Before Making a Decision Win the Pitch Handle Both Kinds of Conflict Take Mini Email Vacations Every Day Stop Wasting Your Boss's Time Let Employees Tell Their Own Stories about Change Change Your Culture a Few Behaviors at a Time Apply the Right Kind of Pressure to Innovators Create Raving Fans for Your Idea Demonstrate Your Credibility as a Leader All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing HBR's Morning Advantage The Harvard Business Review Morning Advantage delivers the latest business ideas from beyond HBR.org directly to your inbox every morning — and it is free! Sign up today >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)