My stepmother walks into a bank.
This isn't just any bank. It's the place she's banked at for years. She remembers the tellers there. They remember her. This time she needs to open an account so she's meeting with someone new, the branch manager.
After a short wait she's invited into her office and things start off well. She's thanked for coming. When asked the purpose of her visit she's assured it will be quick and easy.
Then it happened. The phone rang.
The banker politely asked to be excused while she took the call. My stepmother sent a smiling nod then listened to her host relay a series of instructions to what seemed to be another bank employee.
"Sorry about that," the banker said hanging up the phone. "So where were we?"
My stepmother was accommodating. But as she continued a teller walked in with a question. The banker was quick to focus on the interruption.
Then the phone rang again. Of course the banker took the call.
At this point, my stepmother saw where she stood. Though she wasn't in line, technically, she was last in line when it came to priorities.
She politely motioned to the banker and mouthed that she would come back when the banker had more time. The banker was shocked (yep). She seemed completely confused. Even perturbed.
Questions:
Does your team protect you and your client from interruption when you're in personal meetings?
Does your team respect the distinction between questions and emergencies?
Do you silence your phone for in-person meetings?
