The cover story for Newsweek a few months ago was titled, " Will the Blackberry Sink the Presidency?" Sort of an interesting topic given all of the other challenges facing President Obama. Intrigued, I decided to read the article. I'm not going rewrite the article here, but it's safe to say that it struck a cord with me. I also shared it with a number of my colleagues. The article discussed how technology has affected the way people think, interact and make decisions. Counter to the arguments about increased productivity, the article cites research by experts in cognitive psychology that suggests two things: distraction overload and continuous partial attention and how this impairs decision making (and other things).

If you get a chance and are a BlackBerry user, the article is worth reading. As I read the article, it reminded me of something I've been told about raising children. What's the most important thing you can give your child? Your undivided attention. Not an iPhone. Not your debit card.

Your undivided attention.

Sounds pretty simple. When is the last time you did it? Really?

While I am a parent, I'm certainly no expert. So I won't be offering any more advice on how to raise your children. So how does this relate to business? How does it relate to leadership? I think the notion of giving your undivided attention translates pretty well. We all know the person - typically more than one - that has the BlackBerry under the conference room table checking emails during a meeting (like you don't see them doing it) and then asking you to repeat the question. We all know the person on the phone, typing an email and "talking" to someone in their office simultaneously. How does that feel to the person in the office? Do they feel valued? Is their time worth less? What's crazy is that this is becoming the norm. Hopefully, this is a trend we can reverse.

According to Towers Perrin's latest Global Workforce Study, senior management's ability to demonstrate genuine interest in employees is the top engagement driver not only globally, but in at least seven countries, and is on the top 10 list in all but six countries.

And more disturbing, senior leaders get only mediocre scores on some of the basics.  Only 38 percent of employees surveyed agree that senior management is sincerely interested in their well being AND that senior management communicates openly and honestly.

So let's define the characteristic of an ENGAGING leader. Sure you have to be rational and analytical, but you have to have emotional intelligence.

Sure you need to direct and delegate, but you must possess great communication skills to ensure your vision is understood across the organization.  And now more than ever,  you have to have an ability to inspire with genuine authenticity and humility...which can't be done while in a state of distraction overload or with only partial attention.

So what's the solution? Put the BlackBerry down. Stop multitasking because you're really not being effective with any of the tasks. It's just rude, unproductive and disengaging to other people.  If you can't commit the time to give someone your undivided attention, reschedule for a time when you can. You will both get more from the interaction. While your at it, turn it off when you're with your kids ... the time passes quickly. Soon you'll want one thing from them too ... their undivided attention.


Eric McMurray is Managing Principal at Towers Perrin.








Towers Perrin Blog Use Policy: The content posted on this Site consists of general information which we believe would be of interest to our clients or prospective clients. None of the content of the site constitutes professional advice or establishes any business or professional relationship between Towers Perrin and any person or entity. The content is intended to be informational only.