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  Has the comforting myth of multi-tasking lured you into thinking you are being super productive as you continue to check and respond to emails while answering the phone as an employee or co-worker talks to you?
  Please stop.
  1. You’re being rude and
  2. You'll miss something important in an email, the phone call, the conversation or all three.
  Recent studies have shown that the foolishly dangerous practice of texting while driving has an accident rate the equivalent of drunk drivers. Talking on your cell phone, hands free or not, while driving also increases your chances of an accident. Why is that?
  Obviously, you are not paying full attention to driving while texting or talking on the phone.
  It’s not multi-tasking, it’s semi-tasking.
 
Take a hint from the once very common at-grade RR-crossing signs–Stop, Look, & Listen.
  • Stop whatever else you were doing when you are having a work conversation.
  • Look at the person who is speaking.
  • Listen to what is being said.
  You’ll be surprised at what you hear. And, by the way, the same advice does wonders for personal as well as professional relationships.