I did a virtual gratitude presentation yesterday for a start up software company of 9 people. At the beginning of the workshop, I had them pick up their smartphones and put them underneath their chair.

The goal was to have more quality conversations and deeper connections without being distracted by their phones. I did this in my in person breakout session last week in Wisconsin.

At the end of my workshop yesterday, I was talking to the owner of the company and he mentioned an article he read with the latest research that states having a mobile device within easy reach divides your attention, even if you're not actively looking at it.

When you're having a conversation with someone, put your phones completely away, even not bringing it with you, and see if that makes a difference for you and the person you're with in your conversations (especially the listening part).