"Noticing", truly "Noticing," is not merely about what one observes—it's one of the most profound superhero qualities that distinguishes leaders from managers. To truly "notice" another person transcends simple awareness and dives deep into the core of human interaction and organizational culture. To truly "notice" another person requires you to first have a sense of self-awareness, the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. It requires you to recognize how your own emotions and actions influence those around you - TRULY understanding it and not simply how you THINK they respond to you. Effective leaders don't just see their team members; they understand them, picking up on unspoken words, subtle changes in behavior, and silent cries for support or recognition. A leader who is attentive in this way effectively establishes trust and boosts morale by making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued, truly creating an environment that will bring out the best in others.
The concept of "noticing" in leadership can be traced back to psychological theories related to mindfulness and situational awareness. It involves a heightened state of conscious understanding where a leader is attuned not only to the task at hand, but also to the emotional and psychological states of their team members. This quality enables leaders to detect subtleties in behavior, shifts in mood, and changes in the workplace environment that might otherwise go unnoticed. Examples of "noticing" where leaders often do not notice can include:
Abrupt, Harsh, or Stress Filled Words: Effective leaders notice the repercussions of their words, demands, and disconnected actions. They recognize when their communication has caused stress or discomfort to others and swiftly address to maintain trust and morale. This does not mean, they were wrong with what they said, only in that they recognize not every person responds to the way they delivered it.
Appreciating Diverse Experiences: Leaders excel when they acknowledge that their experiences are not the only way things can be done. By noticing the differences in background, perspective, and expertise among their team members, they can avoid assumptions and biases that lead to misunderstandings, ultimately this creates a sense of value among their team.
Receiving Feedback: Perhaps one of the most vulnerable situations a follower finds themself in...feeling compelled to provide feedback to a supervisor that may not be positive feedback. A key aspect of "noticing" involves understanding how others perceive and react to your leadership, a leader can only truly understand this when they receive the positive and the negative feedback. A "noticing" leader will solicit this level of feedback. To be clear, if team members fear providing honest feedback, there is a gap in the leaders ability to notice their followers...To take a step further, if the HR department of an organization fears or resists providing feedback to a leader, it is a clear indication of toxic leadership/culture.
Validating Hidden Strengths: Sometimes, areas of weakness are repositories of untapped potential. A perceptive leader notices strengths in their team members, even in areas where they struggle or lack appreciation for, and finds ways to nurture these abilities. This could mean recommending projects or assignments to a person outside of immediate job scope, regardless of the leaders perception of their current job performance.
Quick to Reacting: Before taking any significant action, especially any level of disciplinary action, wise leaders notice the mood and CONTEXT of the environment; never placing their team member in a 'dammed if they do, dammed it they dont' situation. They ensure that their actions concede to context which may not be obvious, therefore do not humiliate or alienate their team member based on it. This self-aware reaction preserves dignity and respect with the team member, promotes greater relationship with the team member and influences greater levels of communication.
To reduce turnover and foster a thriving workplace, leaders must also notice the subtle cues that indicate whether a psychologically safe environment exists This includes recognizing when to give credit, how to distribute workload fairly, and when to provide support during high-pressure situations. By noticing what each team member needs to feel secure and valued, leaders can build a strong, resilient, and committed group of colleagues. It amazes me how the art of simply being a helpful person is too often lost among leaders. I've witnessed leaders publicly yelling, belittling, and shaming team members for doing what they thought was right in the given situation, with no tolerance to a differing opinion. I've seen team members disciplined for having a different opinion, when neither was fundamentally wrong. The right responses in these situations provide amazing learning experiences, and when handled as such, can create followers for life.
"Noticing" before reacting can have profound impact in organizational dynamics and employee satisfaction. By honing this skill, leaders can ensure they are not only managing but truly leading their teams toward success.
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