Keeping focus: Taking on short attention spans

By Ruth Skeens, Curriculum Director

People’s attention spans seem to be getting shorter. And when we enter high stress times such as the banking upheaval of the last few weeks, the job of getting people focused is even harder.

The positive energy of recent training or past successes can be quickly forgotten unless leaders make a purposeful effort to change the structure of the workplace, even in small ways. Efficient yet effective communication during these times is mandatory. One area to focus on is reports.

Giving reports a RapidChange “touch” more fully engages listeners, increases retention of key points and raises the level of responsiveness.

Some rules of thumb for reporting with the Rapid Change “touch” include:

•    Assume a short attention span and make the reports crisp and short.
•    Instead of using traditional charts, is there a more engaging way to show trends – skits, storytelling, drawings?
•    Assume the audience will not listen if not “captured” within the first few moments.  
•    Audiences react better to “we” than “me,” therefore emphasize team effort over one person; recognition and honor everyone involved (the team).  
•    Assume the audience is interested in larger values.  Demonstrate the ideas of the report in relationship to higher values of the group.  

 
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