The Pew report went on to indicate that 65 percent of those under the age of 26 believe that new technologies (e.g., the internet, instant messaging, cell phones, text messaging, and iPods) make people more isolated. People report staying in their offices for longer amounts of time and just sending e-messages to the people they need to touch base with. This isolationist tendency often rolls over into people’s personal lives, too – affecting their relationships with their friends, spouses, children, and parents. For the purposes of this article, however, we will limit our comments to the workplace. What can you do to avoid techno-isolation at work? What can you do to settle the technology
divide between yourself and more senior attorneys? Here are some suggestions:

1. Variety is the Spice of Life. Make a concerted effort to vary your communication
routine at work. Rather than sending a text message to confirm a meeting, drop by your
colleague’s office to confirm. If your practice group is spread throughout the building,
take a weekly walk and say hello in person rather than just communicating by email.
Attend firm happy hours, practice group breakfasts, and affinity group bag lunches.
 
2. Art of the Handwritten Note.  Margaret Shepherd, author of Art of the Handwritten
Note: A Guide to Reclaiming Civilized Communication, states: “A handwritten note is
like dining by candlelight instead of flicking on the lights, like making a gift instead of
ordering a product, like taking a walk instead of driving. Handwritten notes will add a lot
to your life.  You can still use the telephone or the Web for the daily chores of staying in
touch, but for the words that matter, it’s courteous, classy, caring, and civilized to pick up a pen.”  
 
People rarely pick up a pen and paper and jot a personal note, particularly to colleagues
and business relations. Taking the extra time (and in reality, the time required is minimal)
to send a note for certain occasions is good business. It opens the lines of communication
and is more memorable than an email or text message. Notes should be written whenever
someone does you a favor or something particularly nice, something above and beyond
the call of duty. You should write a note if someone has given you a gift, invited you to a
special occasion dinner or event, or made an important introduction on your behalf.   
 
3. Respond in Kind.  If you have been away from your desk and your assistant informs you that a partner stopped by for a chat, do not respond to that partner with an email. Rather, you should respond in kind. Go to the partner’s office and make face-to-face contact. Seize the opportunity to interact with someone more senior and more knowledgeable. Take the chance to establish a personal and professional connection.
 
4. Certain Issues Are Best Handled in Person. A survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project entitled “Networked Workers Survey” asked respondents when in-person communication is most effective: 88 percent said for sensitive issues, 79 percent said whenever bringing up a problem to your supervisor, and 65 percent said when dealing with work issues. On the other hand, 60 percent and 62 percent, respectively, believed that email was the most effective way to arrange a meeting and edit or review documents. Although shooting off an email is quick and easy, think twice before using e-
communication when the subject matter is precarious in nature.
 
5. Practice Good Tech Gadget Etiquette. If you are at a social networking or client
development event, it is not appropriate to spend time on your BlackBerry rather than in
face-to-face interaction. If you must take a call or check your electronic gadgets, it is best
to remove yourself from the gathering. When you have a chance to engage in real human
interaction, do so. Most people find it offensive to not have your full and undivided
attention when they are attempting to engage you in direct communication.
Technology has allowed lawyers to be more flexible and in most cases responsive. However, you should always adhere to appropriate etiquette and not get trapped in techno-isolation or you could, like Mary, find yourself alone, dateless, and communicating with people in cyberspace more than in real life. This would be sad in your personal life, but it could be a disaster at work.  

Katy Montgomery is a Managing Director in Major, Lindsey & Africa’s Associate Practice Group in Washington, D.C., and a former practicing attorney. She may be contacted at kmontgomery@mlaglobal.com or 202-292-1842.