In today’s hypercompetitive climate, the stress of managers is a frequent reality. The pressure is insurmountable. Information and distractions are relentless.

It is not surprising that focus in some important areas has dramatically decreased. We are unconsciously wasting 47% of our waking hours on focused. Everything vying for our attention is emblazoned with urgent.

How are we to know consistently what us important when everything is underneath the cloak of urgent? How can we pay attention to al the minutiae while maintaining our sanity? Certainly, we miss out on important matters. But honestly, did it make a difference?

Our focus is important because we could lose the attention of employees and customers. Our lack of attention i.e. focus can appear to be disinterest. Leading us to lose sight of the very improvements in performance we are attempting to propagate.

Mindfulness can help managers train their attention deficits. Since 1998 we have trained numerous managers and employees to become more aware.

During this time, we learned there are at least three ways to help you build trust and be in the moment:

Be in the moment

To paraphrase the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, no man (woman) can enter the same river twice, for he (she) and the river have changed. Being in the moment with another person is a significant gift for the manager and the other person. Giving time to employees differentiates great managers from good managers. Doing so engenders trust, loyalty, and increases engagement.

Make a connection with people even when just wandering around. In the break room, parking lot or hallways encourage and lift. This doesn’t take much time.

Avoid the busy trap

Rushing to myriad meetings, addressing loads of emails in the hope that busy is important drains the manager and distances employees.  The things that don’t matter absolutely can put you out of sync absolutely.

You become infatuated with being busy instead of what is meaningful. Being in the present. So, you aren’t overwhelmed by people and the duties of the job. One of the duties of the job is to develop your people in order to achieve business outcomes. If one can do that well, imagine the differences it can make in everyone at home also. In short, we are improving the world and society.

Being in the moment in doing the right things at the right time ensures peace and calm from within. The manager no longer gives the impression of “Do not disturb. There’s work going on in here.”

Bear in mind, to give peace to others is always the result of working on ourselves.

Practice moments of gratitude

The more grateful we are the greater the likelihood of our slowing, being in the present, listening not to raze but raise.

People will demonstrate in their behavior with each other and customers that they love their job, they will help each other. Fear will be replaced with improved home life, reduced blood pressure, giving back to the community, lower health costs and fewer sick days due to stress. Invariably, attracting and retaining top talent, improving those that have stumbled, and exceeding business outcomes will result without additional costs.  Try this for a week:

• Consume tea instead of too much coffee

• Listen to calming music

• Control your breathing.

• When you feel overwhelmed, think of your breathing.

• Visualize how your personal peace is changing yourself, your employees, making your boss’s job easier and attracting customers with less effort.

Life doesn’t have to be so hard. Let me know how you are doing.

Being a great manager from the inside out is a learning process.

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About the Author

Jim Woods is an internationally acknowledged expert in leadership and performance improvement. He is the president and founder of Woods Kovalova Group – a leading global provider of individual and corporate based leadership and mindfulness solutions in 30 countries. He and his teams are training senior executives, leaders, and employees in organizations like Whirlpool, U.S. Army, Google, Nike, Accenture, GE and many other organizations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Jim has written two children’s books. He also authored three books on leadership and career development. He is a former U.S. Navy Seabee, Boy Scout leader, formerly homeless, a fifth-grade math and science teacher along with being an adjunct professor at several universities. He designs and implements performance improvement training programs to enhance organizational and leadership excellence while making the world a better place.

He and his wife Lucy (vice-president of Woods Kovalova Group) share their time between homes in Denver, CO, and Ukraine. Schedule an appointment to learn more about how they can help your organization.