#1 job of a manager: Listen actively

I admit it. I multitask. Which always means I am doing two things poorly at once.

Those people who feel comfortable challenging me have let me know how much it pisses them off when I check email (and sometimes respond) while they’re talking to me. Few employees speak up, of course. They just accept my rudeness. You think they feel confident speaking up to the boss? No.

But the other day, a consultant we work with started our meeting by asking, “Excuse me, Richard, but would you come out from behind your desk and sit over here? I’ll feel better because I won’t be wondering what’s in all those emails you’re reading.”

Our meeting went well because I was focused and looked him in the eye. In later talks one-on-one with employees, I noticed that meetings were more productive, rewarding — and shorter — when I came out from behind my desk and paid attention. There are going to be times when email is the priority. When that’s the case and someone on your team comes in to talk, it’s better to beg off and reschedule.

Remember this: particularly when it involves your people, it’s better to single-task face-to-face, not multi-task behind your desk.