Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Business Etiquette Practice Test

Why is it important to turn off your phone or silence it during a meeting?

1. To keep it hidden from sight

2. To avoid distractions and maintain professionalism

3. To ensure it doesn’t get lost

4. To save battery life

The correct answer is: To avoid distractions and maintain professionalism

Turning off your phone or silencing it during a meeting is essential to avoid distractions and maintain professionalism. In a business setting, meetings often involve important discussions, decision-making, and collaboration among team members. If phones are left on or ringing, they can disrupt the flow of conversation and divert attention away from key topics, which can lead to misunderstandings or a lack of productivity. Maintaining a professional environment requires consideration for others' time and focus. By silencing your phone, you demonstrate respect for the meeting and the people involved, showing that you value their contributions. This practice helps create an atmosphere conducive to effective communication and collaboration, reflecting positively on your personal and professional brand. While keeping the phone hidden, preventing it from being lost, or saving battery life are also practical considerations, they do not address the fundamental importance of reducing distractions and fostering a focused and professional meeting environment.