Effectively Managing Your Attention

Thursday 7 April, 2011

by Aubrey Warren

Ultimately, leading by more intentionally managing our attention delivers efficiency. It communicates respect for our work, our people and ourselves.

One of the great challenges we all face every day is managing our attention. There are so many - and ever-increasing - demands for our attention at work, at home, on the road, and even in what used to be considered down time.
The result, frequently, is that our attention is "shredded" - torn in multiple directions simultaneously, with the result that we don't actually pay full attention to anything.
On the other hand, we know how important our attention is to encouraging healthy relationships; maximising mental processes in decision making, creativity and problem solving; and using our time efficiently.

Management of attention

Warren Bennis's five-year study of 90 outstanding leaders and their followers identified four common traits, or areas of competence, shared by these outstanding leaders. One of these was "Management of attention": the ability to communicate a sense of outcome, purpose, or direction that attracts followers. While this highlighted the need to focus others' attention on what is important, it equally reminds us that to do so, we have to be clear to ourselves - and by our behaviour show - where our attention should be directed.
People trust what they see. And one aspect of our behaviour that is constantly in view is what and who we give - or don't give - our attention to. We all know instinctively if the person we are talking with is "there" or not. If they are genuinely engaged in the conversation. If they're faking attention or trying to multi-task their attention. (Which reminds us that if we're distracted by our phone while in meetings and conversations, others notice and naturally deduce their full attention needn't be applied either.)
It's hard to take seriously a leader's words about something being important if their behaviour indicates it's not important enough for them to give their focused attention to. It's hard to commit focused attention if shredded attention is tolerated, encouraged or celebrated.

Leadership is what happens "in the moment" - what people experience

A key way we experience a leader's behaviour is in the ways they pay attention and focus in the moment. Those experiences stay with us and frame our relationships, expectations and responses.
It's easy to excuse ourselves from managing our attention in the moment by saying that we have too much to do. Try finding someone who doesn't feel the same way! We all have more to do than we have time available. Because there are so many things we have to do or can do or want to do.
So it's helpful to remember that while we can do pretty much anything, we can't do everything. And that's the same for everyone. We have to choose. We have to decide. We have to focus.

Another dimension of shredded attention: stress

Stress, we know, isn't "out there", but "in here"; it's generated internally not externally. It's about response, not stimulus.  And often our responses create unnecessary stress. For example:

• Saying "yes" - and thus committing to giving attention - when we could or should have said "no" - thus saving attention for other things
  
• Reacting to something "urgent"  - and thus sacrificing attention for something that may be more important
  
• Leaving a task or issue incomplete - thus leaving it in our mental inbox demanding continuing attention
  
• Giving rushed and incomplete directions - that are not understood or not appropriate to the situation, creating the need for follow up and/or remediation

Leading "in the moment" more effectively

• Start with clear values
  
  Values - personal and organisational - provide a consistent framework for prioritising, decision-making and maintaining standards. Conscious attention to our values focuses thinking, communication and action in the moment. It also disciplines our behaviour. And of course if we value "people, relationships, teamwork, integrity, trust, open communication ... " it's hard to communicate those values if we are not paying attention.
  
  Let your attention in the moment demonstrate your values.
  
• Be fully present
  
  If you're going to be somewhere, doing something, with someone ... be there. Turn up 100 percent - body, mind and spirit. Many of us try, irrationally and impossibly, try to be somewhere else. If not via some electronic device then by thought. Remind yourself: "I can't be anywhere else".
  
  Let go of all the things that are creating distracting noise in your head. You can't lead in the moment if you're not there yourself.  

Essentially it's about investing our time and attention in the moment. So what are the payoffs for investing your attention, presence, energy and focus in the moment?

Benefits of focusing your attention

• Reduced stress - as a result of better information and clarity, along with the satisfaction and relief that comes from completed tasks
  
• Stronger relationships - as a result of greater understanding, involvement and attention
  
• Clearer communication - and less misunderstandings that require clarification, follow up or dispute resolution
  
• Greater enjoyment - and appreciation of the relationships and contributions we are a part of

The choice is between investing in the moment or paying with interest later when we have to repeat, revisit or repair as a result of inattention. 

Source: ceoonline.com