Attention is not enough

This week we are exploring how leaders (that’s you) can communicate with your team more effectively by leveraging the human brain’s executive functions of attention, inhibition, and working memory.

In Boundaries for Leaders, Dr. Henry Cloud tells us that “Attention is essential, but not enough. It can't really thrive without enlisting its siblings: inhibition and working memory. You need all three executive functions.”

As leaders, we need to also remove distractions and continually remind people of what’s important.

Apply this as you speak to groups and individuals:

• Keep their attention focused on what’s important.

• Remove what’s unimportant, irrelevant, destructive, distracting, or toxic.

• Maintain ongoing awareness (over time) of the relevant pieces and the big picture.

So, let me ask: How do you keep people conscious of all three things they need to be conscious of?