Wearable Technology – Is It A Blessing Or A Curse?

By Brian Maynor

 

 

If you don’t own a piece of wearable technology yet chances are you will before the end of the year.  With Apple presenting their Apple Watch at Paris Fashion week and designers like Rebecca Minkoff, Opening Ceremony, Tory Burch and Ralph Lauren entering the arena the surge of products is swelling.  And trust me, these items look better and go way beyond fitness tracker.

Is that necessarily a good thing?  I know all of these advances are meant to make life more convenient or easier to stay connected, and there is a real argument for the Apple watch will reinvigorate the wrist watch industry, but if an ‘addiction’ to your cell phone is already causing performance issues, aren’t these new products just feeding that addiction?

Dr. Travis Bradberry recently shared his article on LinkedIn talking about smartphones and meetings and the title was very telling: Why Successful People Never Bring Smartphones Into Meetings.   While the focus may have been on smartphones, the outcomes could easily apply to all wearable tech.  Check out these key points:

 

1.   The underlying premise was simple:  using your smartphone during a meeting annoys your boss and others around you.  This was documented by USC’s Marshall School of Business in a nationwide survey.

2.   Why does your boss find it annoying?  While this may seem like common sense for some generations, for Millennials, people in their early-30s and younger, not so much.

a.   Disrespectful.  You’re sending the message that the information on your phone is more important than the conversation and people actually in front of you.

b.   Severely Limited Attention Span.  In other words you can’t stay focused on the task at hand and constantly dart from one stimulus to the next.

c.   Unable to Listen.  Active listening is engaged listening and while you may not contribute to the conversation, at least the people speaking will feel heard.

d.   Absence of Will Power.  Constantly checking every buzz or vibration on your phone shows you cave to the will of others very easily.   Think modern Pavlovian dog.

e.   No Sense of Self-Awareness.  You have no idea the way others see you or your behavior.

f.   Lack of Social Awareness.  You fail to notice how your actions are impacting and affecting those around you.

3.   What can you do about it?   As technology and the ability to engage with the world become easier and more fashionable setting boundaries and tackling the problem head on is your best course of action.  You can’t rely on inferences and subtle suggestions.  If those worked the dirty looks from around the table would correct the problem.

 

Technology is not going to stop evolving and with the fashion industry jumping onboard there are going to be a lot more opportunities to address appropriate and inappropriate use of it in the work place.  Appropriateness aside, at least these new options won’t ruin your look.

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.