IBM's CEO Gets It: Why Banning Tech in Meetings is a Relic of the Past
Jamie Dimon wants you to close your laptop. Arvind Krishna thinks that's, well, a little weird. And honestly? I'm with Arvind. The idea that in 2025, we’re still debating whether or not technology has a place in meetings feels…quaint. It’s like arguing about whether the printing press was a distraction from town criers.
The core of the issue, as I see it, isn't about whether we use tech, but how we use it. Dimon's frustration, highlighted in his annual letter to shareholders where he laments people "getting notifications and personal texts or who are reading emails" during meetings, is understandable. It is disrespectful when a small group is meeting. But is it really such a crime in larger gatherings?
A Matter of Scale and Respect
Krishna nails it when he distinguishes between intimate, collaborative sessions and larger informational meetings. "If it’s a very large meeting, I’m sorry. It’s not really a meeting. It’s a communication vehicle. You’re just informing people," he told CNN. He's absolutely right! If I'm in a room with 50 other people listening to a quarterly report, am I really expected to maintain laser focus the entire time? Am I learning something new every second? Or am I absorbing key data points while simultaneously triaging my inbox so I can be more effective later?
And let's be honest, sometimes those "distractions" are actually helping us process information. Maybe someone's fact-checking a claim, or looking up a relevant statistic, or even just taking notes on their device because, shocker, handwriting is so 20th century.
The real problem isn't the technology; it's the lack of clear expectations and mutual respect. If a meeting is designed to be a focused, collaborative effort, then yeah, put the devices away. But if it's a large-scale information dump, let people engage in a way that works for them. Is that such a crazy concept?
I think what Dimon is missing – and what Krishna understands – is that technology is now integral to how we process, synthesize, and ultimately, use information. To demand everyone be locked into a single mode of engagement is to ignore the diverse ways people learn and contribute.
Consider this: JPMorgan just opened a brand-new, $3 billion global headquarters in Manhattan, complete with all the bells and whistles. It’s a massive investment, no doubt partially motivated by a desire to get people back into the office. But if you’re forcing people back just to shackle them to outdated meeting etiquette, are you really maximizing their potential? Or are you just creating a gilded cage?
It’s not just about productivity; it’s about trust. Do you trust your employees to manage their time and attention effectively? Or do you need to micromanage their every move? I think if you trust your employees, they will deliver.
The founder of Rich Leadership, Gary Rich, argues that multitasking during meetings is disrespectful and creates a "ripple effect." I disagree. The disrespect comes from not being clear about the purpose of the meeting.
The Future is Flexible, Not Frozen in Time
I think the solution lies in creating a culture of mindful technology use. It's about teaching people how to use their devices responsibly, how to be present when it matters, and how to leverage technology to enhance, not detract from, the meeting experience.
What if, instead of banning devices, we embraced them? Imagine meetings where everyone actively contributes through a shared digital workspace, where ideas are captured in real-time, where action items are automatically assigned and tracked. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
And yes, there's a responsibility here. We need to be mindful of the potential for distraction, the allure of endless notifications, the temptation to disappear down a rabbit hole of unrelated information. But that's a training issue, not a technology issue.
So, What's the Real Story?
This isn't about being anti-Dimon or pro-Krishna. It's about recognizing that the world has changed, and our meeting etiquette needs to evolve with it. Clinging to outdated rules is like trying to stop the tide with a broom. We need to embrace the power of technology to create more engaging, productive, and ultimately, human experiences.