Reclaiming Focus: Being Present Amidst Distraction

Being present offers remarkable benefits that can transform your career journey. It enhances your communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and relationships. Being present supports fostering a deeper sense of engagement and brings a genuine enjoyment in your work with others. Consider this story from the early days of my career journey.?

It's Personal

I'm in the middle of a chaotically demanding week, striving to prove myself as a "capable" manager, took on far too much and am completely overwhelmed. In a 1-1 with an employee, let’s call them Taylor, which I rescheduled twice already, I’m struggling to maintain focus while emails bombard my phone. As Taylor shared, I only half-listened, lost in a whirlwind of tasks, nodding agreeing and unintentionally giving generic advice and responses to anything I was asked. Multitasking between our conversations and emails, I absolutely raced through that 1-1.?

Three days later, in middle of a meeting at 1140 AM, my phone starts ringing, I recognize the number, it’s Taylor, I let it go to voicemail. A few minutes later, my phone rings?again, it’s Taylor, I force forward to voicemail and send a text: is everything OK? Taylor responds immediately: Yes, I grabbed a table, are you on your way??

My heart sank right to my feet. My face flush with an unpleasant cocktail of embarrassment, guilt, weariness, and exhaustion. Three days ago, I had arranged to go to lunch with Taylor during that 1-1.?

I called Taylor, and immediately apologized for my lapse in judgement. Over the course of the next four months, I came to terms with the limits of my capacity. I made a point to right size what I was juggling. I made a point to never look at my phone during a meeting; whatever it is, it can wait the fifteen or thirty minutes. I also made a point of taking notes during meetings, it was very helpful in keeping me focused on listening and referencing points for discussion and follow up making for a very engaging experience with most of my meetings. Eventually I was able to repair and mend the damage with Taylor. It wasn’t easy, it took consistency and demonstrated commitment to rebuild the rapport that was lost. Also, luckily for me, Taylor was incredibly understanding and forgiving.??

I learned so much from that experience, lessons that I still carry with me and will throughout my career. Lessons in self management, burnout, building relationships and listening.?

Reflecting on that experience, one lesson that still lives vividly with me is the power of being present. We must actively tune in to our own feelings, listen attentively, and truly connect with the information we receive. The impact of this skill is profound, it enables us to effectively manage ourselves and and how we conduct ourselves with others through gaining a deeper understanding.

Developing the ability to be present as a leader requires discipline, focus, and emotional intelligence. It is a skill that demands practice and commitment.?

My Go To Strategies for Being Present

Here are some practical tips that I still use and find helpful:

1. Start with self-awareness: Prior to engaging with others, take a moment to check in with yourself. Be honest about your emotions, thoughts, and expectations. Acknowledge them, and then let them go, allowing yourself to focus on the present moment.
2. Mind your body language: Remember that your body language speaks louder than words. Ensure that you convey the right signals to your employees. Maintain eye contact, smile, nod, lean forward, and utilize open gestures. Avoid closed-off postures like crossing your arms, frowning, looking away, or constantly checking your phone or laptop.
3. Active listening: True listening goes beyond merely hearing the words spoken. It involves understanding the message being conveyed. When someone speaks to you, pay close attention to both their words and the way they are expressed. Refrain from interrupting, judging, or hastily jumping to conclusions. Instead, ask open-ended questions, paraphrase their points, and reflect back what you have understood. Approach conversations with curiosity and kindness.
4. Forge meaningful connections: Being present as a leader means going beyond work-related discussions and genuinely connecting with your team-mates and team- members. Take the time to discover their interests, passions, goals, and challenges. Share aspects of your own life as well. Express appreciation, offer recognition, and provide constructive feedback. Make your employees feel valued and supported.

Embracing a present mindset can greatly enhance your communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and relationship-building abilities. Furthermore, it has the potential to increase engagement, productivity, and overall performance. Importantly for me, it enables me to derive greater enjoyment from my work and I find that it ends up fostering a more enjoyable and harmonious team environment.

Presence For Impact

Consider the following scenarios where being present can have a massive impact on outcomes:

• Team Collaboration: When leading a collaborative project or initiative, being present fosters a sense of unity and cooperation among team members. By actively participating in discussions, actively listening to diverse perspectives, and encouraging open dialogue, you create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. This promotes creativity, trust, and mutual respect, resulting in enhanced teamwork and better outcomes.
• Performance Feedback and Coaching: Being present during performance feedback sessions and coaching conversations is crucial for the development and growth of your team members. By giving your undivided attention, actively listening, and offering constructive feedback, you create a supportive space for individuals to reflect, learn, and improve. Your presence shows that you genuinely care about their progress and are invested in their success.
• Leading Change Initiatives: When implementing organizational changes, being present as a leader helps alleviate concerns, resistance, and uncertainty among employees. By actively engaging with the workforce, listening to their perspectives, and addressing their questions and concerns, you can build trust and foster a sense of ownership in the change process. Your presence demonstrates your commitment to their well-being and ensures that they feel supported during the transition.
• Building a Positive Organizational Culture: Being present as a leader plays a vital role in shaping the culture of your organization. By embodying the values and behaviors you wish to see in your team, you set the tone for others to follow. Being present allows you to lead by example, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and respect. Your presence influences how others perceive and interact with one another, ultimately shaping the overall work environment.

In Closing

Being present as a leader is not limited to specific situations, it is a continuous practice that permeates all aspects of my personal journey. It is a fundamental aspect of building meaningful relationships with everyone that we work with and cultivating a culture of trust and collaboration. It requires continuous practice, discipline, focus, and emotional intelligence. The strategies I shared helped me, and I’m confident that when applied consistently, they’ll help you elevate your leadership presence and become an even more effective and empathetic leader.