Archive · 5 Nov 2025
CEOs Clash on Meeting Etiquette: Dimon Demands Full Attention, Krishna Embraces Tech Use
Imagine you're in class or a club meeting.
Some leaders, like the boss at JPMorgan, say you must put your phone away and pay full attention because looking at your phone is rude and wastes time.
Other leaders, like the boss at IBM, think it's okay to use your phone in big meetings where people are just getting information.
But, they agree that in small meetings, where everyone should talk and listen closely, it's best to focus and not use your phone.
It's like deciding when it's okay to play with your toys and when you need to listen to the grown-ups.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon demands full attention in meetings and expects employees to close distracting devices.
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna believes it's "weird" for a tech company to ban technology and distinguishes between large and small meetings regarding device use.
Dimon finds device distraction in meetings disrespectful and a waste of time, as mentioned in his shareholder letters.
Krishna views very large meetings as 'communication vehicles' where technology use might be acceptable.
Krishna specifically discourages phone use in smaller, more intimate meetings where focused attention is expected.
- Who
- JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna
- What
- Discussing differing views on employee device usage and etiquette during business meetings.
- When
- Recent comments made by both CEOs, with Dimon's remarks reported from Fortune's Most Powerful Women summit in October and Krishna's reported last week.
- Where
- During interviews and public appearances, including Fortune's Most Powerful Women summit and CNN.
- Why
- To address productivity and respect in the workplace, particularly concerning the use of phones and other digital devices during meetings in an era of hybrid work.
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna
Device Usage in Meetings
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon
Dimon believes employees should close devices like iPads during meetings, stating it is disrespectful and a waste of time when people are distracted by notifications or emails. He wants complete attention.
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna
Krishna finds it 'weird' for a tech company to ban technology in meetings, especially large ones which he views as communication vehicles. He distinguishes between large and small meetings, frowning upon phone use in smaller, more intimate settings.
Definition of a Meeting
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon
Dimon seems to consider all gatherings where attention is divided as unproductive and disrespectful, urging employees to schedule only necessary meetings.
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna
Krishna categorizes very large meetings as 'communication vehicles' rather than true meetings, suggesting that device use might be acceptable in these scenarios due to their informative nature.
- JPMorgan CEO
- Jamie Dimon
- IBM CEO
- Arvind Krishna
- Dimon's Stance
- Complete attention, 'close the damn thing' if distracted by devices.
- Krishna's Stance
- Distinguishes between large (communication vehicle) and small meetings; allows tech use in large meetings, discourages in small ones.
- Dimon's Reasoning
- Disrespectful, wastes time.