Posted on October 20, 2011 by Dave Crenshaw
Are distractions at work destroying your productivity? Consider these questions:
  1. How many times would you guess you're being interrupted in an average hour?
  2. What would you say is the most common source of those interruptions?
In this brief video, I talk about the number one most common cause of workplace distraction and a simple system you can use to take control of it. Action Steps:
  1. Watch this video and ask yourself: "How many times per hour am I being interrupted at work?"
  2. Choose one person and schedule a 1:1 huddle with them to minimize interruptions at work.
  3. Give 100% of your attention to that person during your 1:1 huddles.
  4. Share your perspective or ask questions on this page.
Principles to Learn:
  1. Many people are interrupted 20 times or more during each work hour.
  2. The most common distraction in the workplace is when people stop by to ask questions.
  3. These little "quick questions" cause a great deal of lost time and productivity in your workday.
  4. 1:1 huddles can greatly reduce the number of “quick questions” you receive in a day.
  5. The more often you hold 1:1 huddles with someone, the shorter those meetings should be.
   
This post was sponsored by Dave Crenshaw Keynote Speeches and Workshops. To learn more about having Dave Crenshaw as an enlightening and fun speaker for your event, visit http://www.InvaluableInc.com/event
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  • http://www.facebook.com/JonathanKentDuncan Jonathan Duncan

    In the world of computer programming the concepts of huddle, or scrum, or any of the other terms out there, are extremely valuable.  Here is an article I refer back to occasionally about this very topic.

    http://liw.iki.fi/liw/texts/flow.en.html

    • http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

      Fun article, Jonathan. Thank you for commenting and sharing it!

  • Susan

    Great video. Thanks for sharing Dave.

    Sincerely, Susan StewartPerfectly PlacedNow offering teleclasses and virtual organizing to make it easy for you to get organized, no matter where you live!www.perfectlyplaced.org(636) 686-0048 or (623) 202-9199  

  • Ron Katz

    Dave,
    This won’t work all the time (in HR a lot of times things can’t wait) but this is great advice for most situations. When people interrupt you, if you always stop and answer their question, you are training them to continue interrupting you. This hinders your productivity and their growth. Thanks for sharing,
    Ron

    • http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

      I agree. There certainly are exceptions. However, 1:1 Huddles can greatly reduce the number of interruptions and any reduction is a huge productivity gain due to switching cost. Thanks, Ron!

  • Anonymous

    Maintaining a practice of one-to-one huddles is a great idea.  I’d like to add a few points that can ensure the success of your huddles: 
    1.  Be consistent in enforcing them.  If someone interrupts you, even with an easy question, ask them if this is something that can wait for “the huddle.”  Referring to it by name will reinforce the concept and set it apart from other types of meetings and conversations. 
    2.  Put huddles on your calendar in ink, with specific start and end times; give scheduled huddles priority – never re-scheduling or skipping them.  Everyone involved will learn to depend on them as a time when they will have your undivided attention, no matter what.
    3. Model the behavior.  If you find yourself interrupting someone at work with your own question, and they don’t use the huddle approach, preface your question with a statement like: I have a quick question.  Is now a good time, or can I schedule 15 minutes with you when I won’t be interrupting you?

    • http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

      Well put Deb. My videos are of necessity very short, but we’re on the same page. Thanks!

  • Creatvkeys

    Great suggestion.  I’m scheduling them this week!

    • http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

      Way to get right on it!

  • Bradn

    Thanks Dave.  Great suggestion!  

    • http://www.DaveCrenshaw.com Dave Crenshaw

      Thanks, Brad. Good to hear from you.

  • Dustin Smith

    I do have one quick question about that…  ..uh..  hmm…  I forgot what I was going to ask…  Um…  I’ll be back…  ;)  j/k

    Thanks, Dave.