Simplifying and Eliminating Distractions

Name: Simplifying and Eliminating Distractions
Author: Susan Sherman

Boost team productivity by learning how to effectively manage daily communication, routines, and decision-making

Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 4 lessons.

Course: On-Demand

(bright music) Digital workplace tools, such as email, collaboration software, and instant messaging, have transformed workplace communications. This can also lead to an overload of information and constant distractions, making it difficult to get work done. In these lessons, you will learn how effectively managing communication, daily routines, and decision-making will create a less distracted workplace. Technology continues to evolve and change our lives. Communication tools include email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and shared hard drives. Employees can always be plugged in to work, even at home. Digital tools have vastly improved the mechanics of workplace communication, especially collaboration. But there is a downside to these tools, which can become a distraction when mismanaged. There is also an over-reliance on digital communication at the expense of face-to-face interaction. Other digital distractions include smartphones and internet use at work, such as social media. According to Roy Maurer's article, "How to Reduce Digital Distractions at Work," the average number of times an employee checks in with communication tools during the workday is every six minutes. While using these tools has enhanced how quickly you can communicate in the workplace, they can also cause unnecessary interruptions and diminish your ability to focus. When employees stop what they're doing to check their email, they likely feel responsive and productive. However, there are times when they are really diverting their attention away from a primary task. The volume of emails an employee receives can cause stress. Employees are typically required or compelled to frequently check their emails to avoid missing something important. The adverse effects of email overload can include anxiety, extended workdays, and poor quality work. Managers and leaders can mediate digital distractions by developing clear guidelines for the use of digital tools and technology in the workplace, keeping electronic devices out of meetings, encouraging the disabling of electronic notifications during certain time periods, providing training on the efficient and effective use of email, implementing shared email inboxes for teams to check collaboratively, ensuring email spam blocking is set up, using other means besides email to communicate company-wide information or non-urgent messages, encouraging employees to consider all communication options, as email should not be the default communication method, and modeling these guidelines for teams to follow. Technology tools have enhanced the speed and nature of workplace communications. It is important to recognize the threat that these subsequent distractions can pose to your organization. Distracted employees are less productive, make more mistakes, and tend to be anxious and stressed. You can support your employees by recognizing these digital distractions and mitigating them through education and policies. The goal is to establish group norms around technology usage that build trust. This will result in a meaningful partnership between the organization, leaders, and employees.

Beginner Provider : Susan Sherman 4 Lessons · 15m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

These lessons will cover how effectively managing communication, daily routines, and decision-making can create a less distracting workplace. You will gain a better understanding of the impact of distractions on communication and daily processes in the workplace. Mastering the ability to manage distractions for yourself and your team is key to a more productive work environment.

What You'll Learn

Identify the traits and tools that drive workplace productivity
Understand how distractions impact communication and daily processes
Recognize action steps to take to minimize distractions
Manage email and other communication to reduce distractions
Optimize meeting time, daily processes, and company rules for fewer interruptions
Apply decision-making and problem-solving to create a less distracting workplace

Key Takeaways

Effectively managing communication, daily routines, and decision-making can create a less distracting workplace.
Distractions affect both communication and daily processes in the workplace.
Mastering the ability to manage distractions for yourself and your team is key to a more productive work environment.
Specific traits and tools drive productivity, and recognizing them helps minimize distractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn in this course?

You will learn which traits and tools drive productivity, understand how distractions impact communication and daily processes, and recognize action steps to take to minimize distractions.

What topics do the lessons cover?

The lessons cover Email and Other Communication, Meeting Time, Daily Processes and Company Rules, and Decision-making and Problem-solving.

Who is this course for?

It is suited to anyone who wants to manage distractions for themselves and their team to create a more productive work environment.

What skills will I gain?

The course develops skills in organizational awareness, time management, handling unit management, productivity management, productivity improvement, and task management.