When JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon declared war on smartphones in meetings, he might not have expected a fellow titan of industry to push back. But IBM's Arvind Krishna isn't holding his tongue.

  • JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has banned phone use in meetings
  • IBM CEO Arvind Krishna calls such restrictions "weird"
  • Debate reflects broader tension between traditional and modern workplace norms

The Clash of Corporate Cultures

Dimon's position is clear: meetings are for focus, not distraction. He wants eyes up, phones down. But Krishna sees things differently. For him, technology isn't the enemy of productivity—it's the engine.

"Telling people they can't use their technology would be weird," Krishna noted, his tone more curious than confrontational.

Why Flexibility Matters

Krishna's stance isn't about defending rudeness. It's about recognizing that modern work doesn't always fit into neat boxes. Sometimes a quick message can solve a problem faster than waiting until the meeting ends. Sometimes a fact needs checking in real time.

The real question isn't whether technology belongs in meetings, but how we use it wisely. Both CEOs want engagement—they just disagree on the path to get there.

A Larger Workplace Conversation

This isn't just about two executives sparring. It's a microcosm of the broader debate over how we balance connection with concentration in the digital age. Dimon represents the traditional view: clear boundaries create better work. Krishna speaks for the integrated approach: tools should serve us, not limit us.

Neither side is likely to back down soon. But the conversation itself is healthy—a sign that even at the top, there's room to question how we work best.