A healthcare CEO with whom I have worked has a sign on her desk, saying “Be Present.” Her employees know that checking a smart phone while in a meeting with her is not wise.
Use your breaks to check your phone/laptop, so that you can be intentional during your moments with people. This intention has meaning. Listen to understand rather than prepare a reply. Adopt and practice having intention.
“Many a man would rather you heard his story than granted his request.” — Phillip Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield
Then reflect. Executives operate at high velocity, yet need the time to capture the “ah-ha moment” from the experience. Be open to new insights, even if that means being uncomfortable in your stretch zone. This is where learning and development comes from, as well as desired behavior change/lessons learned to succeed in the next situation.
“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” — The Dalai Lama
Would your co-workers describe you as “present in the moment?”
