Do you mind if I multi-task?

This morning I was affected by an all too common menace of our times. While backing out of a parking spot, I was boxed in by a Suburban (was there ever a car more perfectly named?) that was moving directly into my path, causing me to actually have to pull forward into the spot in front of me to avoid an accident. At first I was struck by the fact that driving that dump truck should require a Class C license, but when the driver came into view I saw the root of the problem. Passing by without even a courtesy glare to show that I existed was a women juggling her cell phone, a hot Starbucks, and what appeared to be at least one kid in the back, on her way to get on the freeway where she could potentially wipe out several hundred other people.

If this happened to my dad, everyone in the car would be hearing about the breakdown in common decency for the next 30 minutes. But I live in Silicon Valley, and I just chalked it up to the scourge of the modern era: multi-tasking.

Salespeople are not only forced to multi-task every day, but they are victimized by it constantly. What better time to catch up on email than when a sales guy is on the line? “Do you mind if I multi-task” asks the CIO as he opens up another chat window during your presentation that was shortened to 15 minutes when his admin showed you in late. Hey, no- not at all! Mind if I whistle? Smoke a cigarette? Call my wife and catch daily heat for not having a new suggestion for dinner? I’m a busy sales guy and I got stuff to do!

Human beings are not wired to do more than one thing at a time. Multi-tasking just means half doing (at best) multiple activities at once. When it involves communicating to another person being it is the ultimate (although most common) form of disrespect.  If you are talking with someone and your eyes and hands wander to your email, you have stopped having a conversation and are now in “ugh huh, yuht, duh, um, what did you just say?” land. And admit it; your stress level is rising because you can’t really process the emails, either. You’ll just have to work overtime because you accidentally attached the wrong file to your developers and now the whole project has to be redone. I’m no Dr. Phil, but I bet this speeds your journey to a sunny window down the hall with Depends and applesauce.

My CEO and co-founder will undoubtedly disagree with this post, as will many of you out there being the “top baller, shot caller” business folks that you are. But the next time you give in to that Crackberry urge while speaking with someone, think of the Suburban lady, a role now played by you.

Comments

[Glenn]

Neuroscience confirms your suspicions and it was a great article in the Atlantic Monthly:

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200711/multitasking

Second, the State of CA is about to save us when the new law banning cell phone usage in a car without some form of "hands free device' starts in summer, I believe. At least it is a start! Plus, when gas hits $5, watch how fast those big Chevys disappear!

[Cliff Allen]

For many people, "multitasking" is the enemy of quality in work, relationships -- and driving.

However, "focus" does the opposite by maximizing the benefit of whatever we're doing. This is one reason why face-to-face selling and networking events are so worthwhile.

To help me stay focused in meetings and on conference calls, I take extensive notes (in Microsoft OneNote, by the way). It's interesting how many times notes about an offhand comment becomes valuable knowledge weeks or months later.

[Carolyn]

I am that woman but on the east coast! In her defense most of the women driving these land barges would much rather be in a cute little 3-series BMW but with 3 kids (in 3 different schools), space required to haul groceries for 3 aformentioned boys, and enough lacrosse equipment to outfit my own team, the vehicle has become my home away from home and a necessary evil in my life. If there was a model that had a laundry set up I would buy it!

So while I cannot defend her crappy driving it is not unique to her large vehicle - have you ever driven in Boston?? - she is trying to keep her life moving forward. I for one get to turn in my mega-truck in 2 yrs when son #2 moves off to college. BMW 650ci here I come!!!

PS, hate Starbucks - Dunkin Donuts is the only way to go!! Go Red Sox!!

[Aaron]

I love this post. Although I think that women are much better multi-taskers than we men are.

My wife and my mom can immediately tell when I'm talking on the phone and trying to do email at the same time. They let me know promptly too. If they can notice, then I'm sure a prospect will notice as well. They just won't tell me. I'll just loose the sale.

[Garth]

All of these comments are fantastic. Because we haven't moved up to a whiz bang blogger guy software that lets me post right next to the comment, I'll hit them in order:
1- I'm psyched that a nueroscience experiment described in the Atlantic is supporting what I am saying. I wouldn't hope for such high brow agreement for future topics, though.

2-Taking notes is a great way to stay focussed on the person you are talking. Pen and paper, though- if you are typing on a computer or worse yet thumbing stuff into a PDA then you're back in the Suburban trying to run me over.

3- I'm not knocking the big car. My wife drives a 3 row Jeep Commander for the same reason. (AND we are both from Boston- go Sox!) I'm not even making a statement about being a bad driver-they are everywhere. I'm just saying pay attention to one thing at a time or screw up many- it's a binary condition.

4- I am already going to hear about this from my wife (she thinks she can multi-task and that I am just limited). I don't need to put my head in the lion's mouth anymore!

[Fowler]

Garth - I DO agree with this post! You've busted me on it before, although never this eloquently. I'll do better, I swear (unless you're droning on in a meeting at which time I am perfectly justified in taking a quick peek at my Crackberry....)

Fowler