In an era dominated by constant digital notifications, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon follows a remarkably strict rule for his workday: do not send him a text or an email if you need to reach him urgently. The billionaire banker, who leads America's largest bank, has disclosed that he rarely carries his mobile phone during business hours. This conscious decision is part of his strategy to actively avoid digital distractions and maintain complete, undivided focus during meetings.
The 'No Notifications, No Distractions' Policy
Speaking in a recent interview with CNN, Dimon confirmed that he generally ignores all forms of digital communication while he is working. His policy is firm and applies to almost everyone, from top executives to other high-profile individuals. The only exception he makes is for his immediate family. Dimon stated, "I don't have it in front of me all the time. If you send me a text during the day, I probably do not read it." He elaborated that he has turned off all notifications, with the sole allowance for messages from his three daughters. "I don't have notifications; the only notifications I get [are] from my kids, that's it. When they text me I get that," he explained.
How to Actually Reach the CEO
For anyone who needs to contact him for an important matter, Dimon insists on a more traditional approach. He revealed that people do not call his personal phone frequently. Instead, they are expected to call his office. "When I'm walking around and going to meetings I don't have it on me, it's in my office. If you need me and it's important, call my office, and they'll come get me," he said during the interview. He directly attributes his success and effectiveness in meetings to this disciplined approach, allowing him to be fully present in conversations without his mind wandering to other tasks.
Focus is 'Non-Negotiable' in the Workplace
Dimon's personal smartphone rule is a component of his broader argument against the culture of workplace distraction. He is a strong advocate for mandatory presence and attentiveness. He previously addressed this issue forcefully at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit, where he warned employees about the use of digital devices during important discussions. "If you have an iPad in front of me, and it looks like you're reading your email or getting notifications, I tell you to close the damn thing. It's disrespectful," he told the audience.
This is not just a casual opinion for Dimon; it is a principle he has formally communicated. He also talked about this growing problem in his annual letter to shareholders. "I see people in meetings all the time who are getting notifications and personal texts or who are reading emails. This has to stop. It's disrespectful. It wastes time," he wrote. For the powerful CEO, maintaining absolute focus is not just a good habit—it is non-negotiable for professional success and respect.
