LEADERS WHO GIVE THEIR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION

One of my friends runs a very successful hedge fun. He also runs it in such a way that virtually all of his employees clamor to spend more one on one time with him. There a number of reasons his people want to spend time with him. He is smart, direct, supportive, occasionally funny (sometimes on purpose) and he is a natural teacher.

But perhaps most important of all, he gives each of them his undivided attention when he meets with them. He accepts no phone calls during his meetings with employees. He has no blackberry sitting in front of him and he isn't reading the Bloomberg while listening to what people have to say.

At the end of each meeting, the person who met with him walks out knowing that he/she received his undivided attention and feels better for it; even if the news was bad. How do you feel when you are meeting with someone who is reviewing the latest email while you are speaking? Don't do that to your employees. Give them your undivided attention.

This reminds me of another story. Gail and I were at a meeting with some advisors for another entity. While I was speaking, two of them were furiously typing on their blackberrys. So, I stopped speaking. They noticed the silence and looked up. The senior advisor looked at me and said, "It is ok. I can type and listen at the same time." I replied, "Good for you. I, however, can't speak and watch you type at the same time. So, we will wait until your done."

Give your undivided attention to those you speak to and demand the undivided attention of those who should be listening.

Cheers, Mike