How To Get MCC Officials Off Their Phones during a Programme?

How To Get MCC Officials Off Their Phones during a Programme?

Mangaluru: Go into any meeting or a programme at Mangaluru City Corporation, and you’ll see the same thing: MCC Officials, right from the top level to the bottom post, surreptitiously checking their electronic/mobile devices while checking out of the conversation that’s happening right in front of them. I will readily admit that this behavior goes on my Most Annoying List although I don’t cover much of the MCC proceedings, during my couple of visits to the MCC for press coverage, I have noticed that the usage of mobile phones during meetings/programmes is a common sight. Okay, I know I’m not alone here. Anyone attending a meeting or a function finds it hard to not get frustrated –or take it personally – when the people in front of them are visibly somewhere else.

It doesn’t take much to throw off the dynamic of a room. Here is one such example which took place during the “Handing Over Ceremony of e-Toilets MoU between MCC and HPCL” on 11 July 2017 at the MCC Conference Hall, where almost 80% of the MCC officials, Corporators, including the MCC staff were hooked on to their mobile phones either in conversation, checking messages or sending SMS’s. It was so blatant that it shifted the morale and participation of the others in the hall, including me where I had shut my phone following the posted sign on the wall. Even though there is a sign posted which says not to use mobile phones inside the hall- but still it is ignored by the same people who posted it?. Seems like our MCC officials don’t practice what they preach or post? Even during the last month phone-in programme, a few MCC officials sitting at the rear were busy on their mobiles, rather than concentrating on the proceedings. That’s very rude on the part of anyone, that while a programme is going on, you play with your mobile phones.

Now it seems like not only ministers check videos/whatsapp during legislative meetings, even elected City Officials do the same with their smart-phones? If you’re running the meeting, you’re in an awkward position. You don’t want to be a dictator and demand that people put their phones away, yet you need complete attention in order for the time to be used effectively. It’s not only at work where we’re bothered by inappropriate cell phone use, or Electronic Displays of Insensitivity (EDI). Why do so many people—especially more successful people—find smart phone use in meetings to be inappropriate? It’s because when you access your phone it shows:

Lack of respect. You consider the information on your phone to be more important than the conversation in the meeting; you view people outside of the meeting to be more important than those sitting right in front of you; Lack of attention. You are unable to stay focused on one item at a time; the ability to multitask is a myth; Lack of listening. You aren’t demonstrating the attention and thinking that is required of truly active listening; and Lack of power.

And while I was clicking photos of one corporator sitting on the dais chatting on her phone, I pointed at the “no mobile usage” (in Kannada- see photo in the report) sign posted for her kind attention- for which she smilingly replied that mobile use is prohibited only during Council meeting. But my question is Why only Council meetings? The “No Mobile Usage” rule should apply even to seminars/meetings/programmes etc- that’s what I feel. My humble request to the MCC authorities, irrespective of council meetings, or seminars, regular meetings. phone-in programmes, formal functions etc, keep your atmosphere quiet, free of distractions from smart phones usage, and your participants focused.

Just because cell phones have taken over the way we communicate doesn’t mean they have to take over your business/seminars/meetings/programmes. Despite their overwhelming presence in today’s society, cell phones perpetually straddle the line between modern convenience and disruptive nuisance. The phone calls, text messages, pictures and other data relayed to family members, friends, doctors, or even co-workers while on the job are the source of many interrupted business meetings or disgruntled employees, which is why creating a cell phone policy is key to preserving the (literal) peace of your workplace environment.

And if there is a sign posted inside the hall/building etc stating not to use mobile phones, obey the sign. And don’t practice the saying ” We Don’t practice What we Preach or Post?” Period, and Thank You!