Technology Etiquette

This past week I attended a professional development seminar for women CPAs. The attendants covered a wide age range, and during lunch we got to talking about the pervasiveness of technology in our lives. A baby boomer expressed her fear that Generation Y would have limited social skills because they could only communicate through texts and online chats. In her opinion, this was evidenced by the fact that many of the young staffers at her firm would rudely check their cell phones or be texting under the desk while in a meeting or speaking with a partner. The staffers' lack of eye contact and distracted conversation seemed to indicate to her that they had no idea how to interact in a professional setting.

It had never occurred to this colleague that perhaps no one has told Generation Y that it is inappropriate to be texting while talking to more senior professionals. This is because between Generation Yers, checking your cell phone while out to dinner or in the middle of a conversation is completely acceptable.

I find that more senior professionals, though demanding the full attention of others when they themselves are speaking, are often the first to pull out their laptops or Black Berries in the middle of seminars and meetings. They seem to think that their status grants them the right to address important work at the presenter's expense. At the same time, they assume that because a less senior professional is texting, they couldn't possibly be addressing a work-related matter. The fact is, staffers work around the clock just like managers and partners. Everyone's responsibilities are equally important to them personally.

My challenge to Generation Yers is to be cognizant of your audience when assessing technology etiquette. If you are working for an old-school partner who fails to embrace email and considers a cell phone to be an emergency only device, try to be understanding and give them your full attention when in a meeting or conversation. Turn off your cell phone if they come to your desk so they don't feel like they are competing with your message beeps.

To those professionals who once did business before email and texting, realize that younger professionals have grown up with technology, and look at is as a productivity tool, not just a game. Generation Yers are still capable of having a good-old-fashioned conversation, but they often prefer electronic means of communication because it is more timely and efficient, enabling them to better multi-task.

Given the pace at which technology evolves, the rules of etiquette are being constantly rewritten. In order to keep up, try and understand your audience. Empathy goes a long way in avoiding offense.