Archive for the ‘Workplace Etiquette’ Category

I’ve heard numerous stories about co-workers rudely using their Blackberry’s in meetings, but I had never really experienced the issue first hand until this week.

This week I was hosting a very important project kick-off meeting, and my co-worker sitting next to me was conspicuously typing on her BlackBerry for most of the meeting with complete disregard for the conversation being had.

In addition, this employee scolded me at the end of the meeting because I’d forgotten to invite her! Ummm, what’s wrong with this!

Allow me to parlay some BlackBerry Etiquette 101:

1. It’s not appropriate to type on a Blackberry in a meeting, and considered rude if you do.
2. Always have your BlackBerry in silent/vibrate mode during a meeting.
3. If you are expecting an important message, excuse yourself from the room to check your device.

And don’t give me that crap that you are so important and critical to the operation!

If you are so critical to your operation that you need to be on a BlackBerry all the time, then chances are you don’t need to be ANY meeting (because you’re less of a leader, and more of a worker bee, mmmkay).

Real professionals maintain social grace and offer common courtesy to their peers and direct reports, especially during what should be a collaborative process where listening is key.