During lengthy meetings, most participants multitask. They check their email, send messages, or play video games on their smartphone. Here's an opening activity that demonstrates the disadvantages of multitasking.

Synopsis

Ask the participants to count by twos. Ask them to spell a word. Later, ask them to combine the two activities, alternating between counting and spelling.

Purpose

To explore limitations of multitasking

Participants

Minimum: 1

Maximum: Any number

Best: 10–20

Time

3–10 minutes

Flow

Conduct the activity. Give these instructions. Pause where indicated:

• Can you count by twos (like two, four, six, and so on)?
• Count aloud by twos from two to 20. Go ahead.
• (Pause for ten seconds.)
• Stop. Here's the next task.
• Spell aloud the word “conference,” one letter at a time. Go ahead.
• (Pause for ten seconds.)
• Now combine counting by twos and spelling the word “conference,” alternating between counting and spelling like this: two, C, four, O, and so on.
• Go ahead.
• (Pause for 20 seconds.)

Debrief the participants. Explain that this activity is a simulation of multitasking. Point out that if somebody timed the counting by twos and the spelling of the word “conference” separately, the total time would be less than the time it took to perform the combined task. Also, the number of errors is likely to be greater when the participants perform the combined task.

Link to the Meeting

Continue the debriefing discussion. Ask the participants to identify the disadvantages of multitasking while participating in a meeting. Also ask them to brainstorm preventive measures. Persuade the participants to avoid multitasking during the ensuing meeting.