Management Tip of the Day: Help Your Multitasking Colleague Break the Habit

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 NOVEMBER 12, 2012 Help Your Multitasking Colleague Break the Habit Everyone these days is trying to get several things done at once. But it's frustrating to work with someone who won't stop glancing at his phone or even takes calls mid-meeting. If a co-worker's inability to focus is bringing you down, try these three tactics: Call him out mid-task. Not everyone is self-aware. Pointing out the behavior may bring attention to it and how it's affecting you. Find a new time to meet. Suggest that you reschedule for a time when he can focus. Try a slot at the beginning of the workday, before the day's emails start rolling in. Physically disengage. Get his attention by moving to another part of the room. Then it's up to him to reconnect when he's done with his task. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Multitasking's Real Victims" by Daniel Gulati. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Leading Change, With a New Preface by the Author Ebook Now Available Now with a new preface from author John Kotter, the refreshed edition of the international bestseller Leading Change is more relevant than ever. Millions worldwide have read and embraced John Kotter's ideas on change management and leadership. Needed more today than at any time in the past, Leading Change serves as both visionary guide and practical toolkit on approaching the difficult yet crucial work of leading change — in any type of organization. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Manage a Challenging (and Valuable) Employee When Working Hard, Make Time for Rest Prepare to Answer Customers' Toughest Questions Make the Most of a Bad Job Get to Know Your Unknown Audience Toss the Old Rules for Selling Reward Yourself for Doing the Tasks You Hate Try Crowdsourcing Your Performance Reviews Make a Job Offer That They'll Accept Save Time by Saying No All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> 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)