Meetings, Office Birthday Parties Can Cause Distractions

Chuck Martin says work-related distractions like e-mail, company crises, and interruptions by co-workers are so common that 46% of business leaders arrive at work early in search of solitude. But their peace is often disrupted when their employees follow suit, seeking the boss’s attention early in the morning or late in the day because there is less competition for it.

Some middle-management types thrive on unnecessary meetings because, as everyone knows, meetings are a great way to avoid real work. But some are inevitable. Setting clear meeting agendas and avoiding ad hoc meetings can reduce distractions, but calling off superfluous meetings altogether can be even better. Link

To reduce environmental distractions, managers and consultants recommend blocking cubicle entrances with stop signs or ribbons, and checking e-mail at scheduled times only.