There’s a new game making the rounds these days called Phone Stack. Have you played it? The basic gist is this—when you dine out with friends, everyone puts their phones in the middle of the table and then embarks on a huge game of chicken— who can resist the siren call of their phone for the longest time? The stakes are fairly high: the first person to take a call agrees to pick up the tab for the whole group.
Reporting on this game, the blog GetKempt says, “It’s a buzzing, flashing reminder of every phone-etiquette rule the world seems to have forgotten.”
I like it. A lot. In fact, I think we should kick it up a notch and play Phone Stack at our next company meeting. It’ll be like an intervention to see who’s the most addicted to their mobile device.
If I were to suggest this process (we’re in business, we don’t do “games”, right?) at a meeting, the outcry would be fierce:
“I’m expecting an important call.”
“I just need to sign off on this P.O. Accounting is emailing it to me any minute now.”
“My customers expect me to be available”.
“Who do you think you are?!”
There is truly very little that can’t wait. Most of the “emergencies” in our business lives are urgent ...