The Chief Technology Officer of Slack, Parker Harris, has shared insights into how he cultivates focus in a world rife with digital distractions. In an interview with Business Insider, Harris emphasized the importance of creating uninterrupted time for deep work, especially in an environment where notifications and emails often dictate the day’s agenda.
To minimize interruptions, Harris employs practical strategies. One of his primary techniques is to silence notifications completely during focused work sessions. He described his aversion to notification sounds, stating, “I hate that knock sound or any other sound.” Additionally, he flips his phone over to avoid visual distractions, asserting, “I don’t want to see my phone.” By doing this, he can dedicate himself fully to specific tasks without the pull of constant alerts.
Harris highlighted the challenge of working in an “interrupt-driven” environment, where the demands of his calendar and inbox often compete for attention. He noted, “Sometimes my day is driven by my calendar or driven by my inbox.” To counter this, he intentionally carves out time to immerse himself in particular projects, such as engaging with specific channels or company planning documents. He mentioned that unless urgent issues arise—like system problems at Slack or a request from Marc Benioff, the CEO of Salesforce—he prioritizes his deep work sessions.
On October 3, 2023, Slack is set to launch a new version of its AI tool, Slackbot, designed to assist users in managing their tasks more effectively. Harris hopes this innovation will enable employees to transition from a reactive to a proactive work style. Slackbot acts as a personal work agent within the platform, now with enhanced capabilities to surface relevant context, track notifications, and help prioritize activities.
Harris believes that the new tool will significantly contribute to productivity across teams. He stated, “Slack is where work gets done. We’re going to continue to tackle the productivity challenge. We want to make employees more productive.” To maximize the benefits of Slackbot, he encourages users to provide clear context, identify the audience, and specify desired outcomes in their prompts. He also suggests cross-referencing Slackbot with other data sources and reviewing its output before actioning it.
As Slack continues to innovate, Harris’s approach to managing focus amid distractions offers practical lessons for professionals navigating similar challenges. By intentionally setting aside time for deep work and leveraging tools like Slackbot, individuals can enhance their productivity in an increasingly demanding digital landscape.
