John Stanko

"We must pay the most careful attention, therefore,
to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away" - Hebrews 2:1.

It is everyone's tendency not to pay attention when their mind wanders or zones out. That is why leaders need to be mindful of their need to communicate often and well. It is not how well leaders speak or write that is most important, but how well followers and listeners understand and retain what leaders say. Leaders should accept responsibility for making sure good communication occurs. That means leaders must say important things more than once, using different media to say it, and must work to help listeners pay attention and retain.

LEADERSHIP STEP: How are you most effective at holding people's attention? You cannot persuade them if they are not listening or reading. Your Step today is to establish feedback on all your communication that is accurate and meaningful. You can watch your numbers of readers if you write or blog, use surveys for feedback if you speak or teach, take questions whenever you communicate, or simply watch to see if people are doodling, sleeping or listening when you talk.