What You Pay Attention To, You Lead
by Dr. Dave Mather | Ring 10: Leadership Capacity
Let me be blunt with you:
In leadership, if it didn’t happen in your senses, it didn’t happen.
You didn’t see it. You didn’t hear it. You didn’t feel it in your body.
Then it didn’t happen for you.
That’s not a moral statement. It’s just brain science.
The Attention Filter
As a leader, your attention is your GPS. It tells you what’s real, what’s urgent, and what deserves your time and energy.
So what happens when your attention is hijacked?
What happens when you’re distracted by your phone during a crucial meeting, or you’re half-listening to your direct report because your mind is stuck in yesterday’s email?
Here’s what happens:
You miss things.
You drop the thread.
You become the leader who doesn’t “get it.”
The leader who doesn’t see what others see.
And you lose trust—not because you’re a bad leader, but because your attention isn’t where your leadership is needed most.
If You’re Not Paying Attention, You’re Not Leading
Look—people know when you’re not really there.
They feel when your mind is in three places at once.
They feel when your eyes dart to your phone.
They feel when your body is present but your attention is gone.
That’s why I say: Attention is the ministry of presence.
If you want to lead well—if you want to foster trust, connection, and respect—you must be able to grant your full attention. Not just show up. Not just smile and nod.
But be there. Fully.
Here’s the Problem: Attention Is Failing Us
You’re not alone if this feels hard. Our attention spans have taken a nosedive.
According to Harvard, we spend almost 47% of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we’re doing.
Research shows that on average, workers self-interrupt every 3 minutes, and after an interruption, it takes 23 minutes to fully regain focus.
Stanford University research confirms that multitasking reduces efficiency and cognitive performance, making us more error-prone, less thoughtful, and slower to respond.
And yes, according to TED speaker Dr. Caroline Leaf, task-switching burns massive energy in the brain, draining your mental fuel tank and leaving you foggy and exhausted by midafternoon.
So if you’re constantly tired at the end of the day…
If your energy crashes and you’re reaching for a second energy drink…
Poor attention—not overwork—may be your biggest drain.
So What Do You Do? Train for It.
Attention is a skill.
And like any skill, you can train it.
That’s where mindfulness comes in.
I’ll say this clearly: Mindfulness is not woo-woo. It’s mental strength training.
It’s the gym for your brain.
It builds your capacity to hold attention where you choose to place it—not where your distractions pull it.
Dr. Amishi Jha, a neuroscientist who’s studied Marines, athletes, and first responders, found that just 12 minutes a day of mindfulness training improves working memory, executive control, and emotional regulation—the exact traits leaders need.
Twelve minutes. That’s less than one percent of your day to sharpen your mind and master your leadership presence.
You Lead What You Pay Attention To
If you want to become a leader who earns trust, who sees what others miss, and who can lead through uncertainty, start here:
Know what distracts you. Are you more visually or auditorily distracted? Be honest about your weaknesses.
Engineer your environment. Don’t go to dinner with your spouse and sit facing the game. Don’t check your email during a team check-in.
Make presence your leadership edge. In a world addicted to distraction, being truly present is a superpower.
Call to Action: 12 Minutes a Day
This week, I challenge you to train your attention like your leadership depends on it—because it does.
Each day for the next 7 days, take 12 minutes for focused mindfulness.
Sit quietly. Follow your breath.
When your mind wanders, gently bring it back.
That’s the rep. That’s the muscle.
That’s leadership, one breath at a time.
Attention is leadership. What are you paying attention to?