The currency used in the market place is money. The currency of leadership is attention.  You invest money in your business.  It pays to invest your attention!  For leaders, paying attention is a three-fold test.

The first test:  Focus Your Attention…on a few key results you desire or issues you want resolved. (See Part 1) What do you want to accomplish?

The second test:  Be Clear…. communicate your focus to your team by aligning your actions with your words.  (See Part 2)  Does your leadership behavior match your focus?

The third test:  Be Consistent. The subtle usurper of clear and consistent leadership is “distraction.”  Distractions are issues, concerns, changes, problems, and even opportunities that hi-jack the focus of your attention.  Consistency is a matter of battling distractions.

A) You lose the battle if you are too susceptible to every new problem, idea, or opportunity that comes by.  You shift priorities, change directions, and leave your team confused and frustrated.

B) You also lose the battle if you’re closed-minded to anything or anyone who questions your direction and priorities.  Situations change, new problems emerge and great opportunities arise.  You miss them if you do not consider them.

C) Finally, you lose the battle if you grow tired.  Maintaining focused attention is hard work.  If you push too hard and too long you simply cannot maintain your focus.  You “let down.”  You skip progress reports for “just this week.”  You pay a price.

The best way to improve your consistency and empower yourself to consider how to handle change, new problems and opportunities is to document your focus.  Get your “attention” down in writing.  Write them in your plans and systems. Here are several:

• The business plan and model for the organization.
• The communication systems and procedures of the organization.
• The organization’s handbook, best practices, routines, and rules.
• Expectations for the maintenance of the building, equipment, and property.
• The systems for recruiting, training and assigning staff.
• The written long-range plan for the growth of the business.
• The written policy for compensation and advancement.
• The written agenda for progress reports.
• The written agenda for team meetings.
• The written agenda and form used for annual reviews.

Inspect your consistency.  Can you handle distractions?  Are you expectations written into your plans and systems?  Are you inspecting progress and compliance?

Copyright 2011 © Richard Leslie Parrott, Ph.D.