The Silent Saboteur: How Smartphones Are Eroding Focus in the Workplace

Molly MacArthur, Communications Ambassador, CIM South East Committee

As someone who’s spent the past decade in the marketing world, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution—or perhaps, the erosion—of focus in the workplace. When I began my career, smartphones were handy tools, helpful for checking emails and staying connected. But over the years, these devices have morphed into relentless attention thieves, making it harder to maintain focus at work.

The Rise of the Scroll Culture
It wasn’t too long ago that meetings were spaces of undivided attention. People were present, engaged, and focused. Now, the norm has shifted. Virtual meetings have become breeding grounds for distraction. It’s not uncommon to see someone casually scrolling through Instagram or responding to emails while half-listening to what’s being said.

As Johan Hari points out in his book Stolen Focus, “We are losing our ability to do anything at all if we're constantly being distracted by the ping of a phone or the allure of social media.” The algorithms that drive these platforms are designed to keep us hooked, pulling our attention in a hundred different directions. But this doesn’t mean we’re doomed to live in a state of perpetual distraction. We can choose to take back control of our focus, even in a digital world that seems to demand it at every turn.

Meetings: A Battle for Attention
The impact of smartphone distraction is evident in many meetings—both virtual and in-person. It’s disheartening to watch as valuable ideas fall on deaf ears because someone is too busy responding to emails or checking their notifications. I’ve seen this happen at all levels, from junior staff to senior executives, and it sends a clear message: “This isn’t worth my full attention.”

But it doesn’t have to be this way. As Hari notes, “We need to rethink the way we use our devices, not to cut ourselves off from the world, but to reconnect with it in a more meaningful way.”

The Ripple Effect on Creativity and Productivity
In marketing, creativity is our currency. It’s what drives successful campaigns and sets us apart from the competition. But creativity requires focus—a state of mind where ideas can flow freely without interruption. The constant pings and notifications from our phones shatter that focus, making it harder to achieve the deep work necessary for innovative thinking.

Hari touches on this when he says, “We need to create environments—both physical and mental—where deep thought can happen.” I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be to fully immerse myself in a task when my phone is buzzing with alerts. The temptation to check that latest notification can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that every time we give in, we’re sacrificing our ability to think deeply and creatively.

A Hopeful Path Forward
In the marketing world, where ideas are our greatest asset, we can’t afford to let smartphones steal our focus. But with deliberate effort, we can ensure that our attention is directed where it belongs—on the work and people that truly matter. As Hari wisely says, “The power to reclaim your focus is within you. You just have to take it back.”