The Chief Technology Officer of Slack, Parker Harris, has outlined his methods for achieving deep work in an increasingly distracted digital landscape. In an interview with Business Insider, Harris shared that he intentionally carves out time for focused tasks by minimizing interruptions, a necessity in his role which often feels driven by incoming messages and calendar appointments.
To manage distractions, Harris employs a straightforward tactic: he turns off notification sounds. “I hate that knock sound or any other sound,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of a quiet environment for concentration. He also turns his phone face down to avoid the temptation of checking notifications, noting, “I don’t want to see my phone.”
While he typically keeps notifications active, Harris does not immediately respond to each incoming message, recognizing that his work environment is often “interrupt-driven.” He suggests that everyone must find personalized methods to enhance concentration. When engaged in deep work, he immerses himself in specific tasks, whether that involves focusing on a designated channel or a company planning document. “Unless there’s some fire coming at me, like Slack has some issue, or Marc Benioff wants to talk to me, I’ll drop what I’m doing,” he explained.
On Tuesday, Slack announced the rollout of an upgraded AI version of its Slackbot tool. This new feature aims to assist users in prioritizing their tasks effectively. According to Harris, the enhancements will allow employees to transition from being reactive to proactive in their work. “Slack is where work gets done. We’re going to continue to tackle the productivity challenge. We want to make employees more productive,” he remarked.
The revamped Slackbot, integrated directly into the platform, will offer additional functionalities such as surfacing relevant context, tracking notifications, and helping users prioritize their activities. Harris advised users to provide specific context, audience, and outcomes in their prompts when utilizing the new tool. He also encouraged cross-referencing Slackbot’s suggestions with other data sources and reviewing its output before sharing it with colleagues.
As Slack continues to evolve its offerings, Parker Harris remains focused on the goal of enhancing productivity in a fast-paced work environment. By sharing his strategies and insights, he hopes to empower users to navigate digital distractions more effectively and reclaim valuable time for deep work.
