It is one of those words everyone says is a good thing and something most people would like to be better at. Yet, focus alone, isn’t enough. What you focus on is what really matters.

Take some time to think: What are you focused on right now? What are your priorities?

To become the best leader you can be, and to best serve both your team members and your organization, you have to have laser focus, but your focus can’t be so narrow that you don’t see the big picture.

Sounds a bit contradictory, doesn’t it? It’s not. It just means you develop the ability to focus both inwardly and outwardly. How do you do that? Start here.

1.  Determine where you focus most often.

Do you focus inward on yourself and your actions? Or do you tend to focus outward, on others and their performance? You likely already have a clear picture of that. If not, try:

  • Asking co-workers for their feedback.
  • Track your day. What activities are you spending the most time on?
  • Consider your goals. What do your goals tell you about where you spend your focus, not only what the goals are, but the ones you are making the most progress on? For example, are you further along on your personal or team goals?

2. Determine your blind spot or where you focus least.

3. Identify how building focus in that area will help you, your team and your organization.

4. Devise a plan to put more focus on that blind spot.

  • Identify three specific actions you will take to focus more in that area.
  • Get a mentor coach or co-worker to help you work on that focus area and give you feedback.

The best leaders can adjust their focus to see everything in front of them (their goals, the organization’s goals, team goals and employees’ individual goals) and act according. It starts with first figuring out where you are more likely to put all your focus, and then taking specific steps to put more energy into areas you are neglecting.

Brand new and not sure where to start?

Download the First 7 Things to Do When You Get Promoted Special Report and you’ll learn:

  • The types of goals you need to be setting now that you’re a leader.
  • The 3 things you need to talk to your boss about NOW (not later).
  • 7 steps for setting clear expectations
  • And much more!

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://KevinEikenberry.com). He has spent nearly 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.
Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and has been included in many other similar lists.

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