How to Obtain and Maintain Attention at Work

Whether you’re the CEO of a company or an entry-level employee, being able to obtain and maintain attention from the rest of your team and firm is an invaluable trait. There are several ways to do so, and we’re here to teach you them today!

Tips for Company Leaders:

  1. Set the Atmosphere: There are many ways to create a positive atmosphere in your office for the rest of your employees (and yourself). Let’s all be honest, no one wants to sit in a boring firm from 9-5, Monday through Friday. For that reason, help your employees to be able to look forward to entering the office. You can do so in several ways, potentially by using decorative, light wallpaper, purchasing a coffee machine or offering a light breakfast, or simply greeting each employee with a smile and question about their day.
  2. Switch Things Up: Within any position, it is extremely easy to fall into a routine and feel stuck. We encourage you to switch things up by allowing your employees to leave early one day, or come in late on an occasion. You may also organize social events or company get-togethers outside of work hours so that your employees can get to know you and each other on a personal level. Try a happy hour once in a while! Personal relationships between employees highly increase the likelihood of them paying attention to one another, and to you!
  3. Be Involved! If you are in a position of leadership, take time to evaluate how often you are contributing to projects versus how often you are solely ordering them and leaving it completely up to the rest of your staff. Check in on the status of completion, or even offer ideas on a weekly basis to show your employees that you care. Not only will doing so help your staff to appreciate your investment in their time, but it will motivate them to reach the best of their potentials.
  4. Be Supportive! There is a multitude of ways to support your employees and, in turn, maintain their attention. Some include: encouraging participation, supporting ideas, offering constructive criticism instead of rejection, or setting up group brainstorming sessions so that everyone can contribute to projects and ideas. Always remember, no one is perfect! Make sure you admit to your mistakes when you are wrong, just like you would expect your employees to.
  5. Decorate Physical Workspace: Some affordable, quick ways to redecorate your office space may entail repainting, incorporating “fun walls” or light wallpaper, replacing outdated furniture (cushions, chairs, desks), and keeping up generally modern office trends. Maybe even consider creating a relaxation or lounge room to allow employees to decompress!

Tips for Employees:

  1. Be Conscious: Just as you are running on a busy schedule, so are the rest of your coworkers. Make sure the speeches you give and insights you offer are clear, concise, and direct.
  2. Explain Why They Should Care: Why should they listen? What can they take away, how will they be benefitted? In connecting with your colleagues and building engagement, be aware of “I” language. Focus on your audience more than yourself, how can you meet your own needs while also reaching theirs?
  3. Timely: We cannot stress enough how important it is to always be on time! Timeliness expresses care, dedication, and an awareness of the people around you. If you are on time to lead a meeting, consider yourself late (always arrive early)! Each moment wasted elicits attention lost.
  4. Incorporate Positivity: If you are in charge of bearing bad news, explaining criticism, or instructing your coworkers to restart a project, remember the importance of positivity. Start with a positive comment, incorporate the negative downfall, and end on a positive note. This way, you will not come across as demanding, controlling, or unsympathetic.
  5. Be Clear: The outcome of your meeting may require certain steps taken by all employees to accomplish a general solution. Be clear in exactly what your coworkers should do after leaving the conversation, what they are responsible for individually and in groups, and any relevant deadlines. This way, you’ll receive fewer emails and decrease the chance of miscommunication!

Working towards a promotion? Read our article to determine how to get one and when you should expect it! 

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!