Weekend Boost No. 174
LEADERS NOTICE
One of the quiet truths of leadership is this:
Leaders notice.
They notice what’s present—not just what’s loud.
They notice shifts in energy, tone, and timing.
They notice when something feels off, even before there are words for it.
In a culture that rewards speed and certainty, noticing can feel like a luxury.
It’s not. It’s a practice.
Noticing creates space between reaction and response.
It helps leaders choose with intention instead of urgency.
It opens the door to wiser action.
Here are three resources for noticing:
The Mindful Leader: Leadership Qualities and Awareness (Peer-Reviewed Article) - A research paper reviewing core leadership qualities developed through mindfulness practice — including sustained attention and awareness.
The Power of Noticing: What the Best Leaders See (Harvard Business Review): A concise article overview explaining how not noticing information can lead to poor leadership and decision-making — based on Bazerman’s work.
THE PRACTICE
As you move through the next couple of days, try this:
Pause once or twice and ask yourself:
• What am I noticing right now—in my body, my thoughts, my energy?
• What am I noticing in others that I might usually rush past?
• What wants my attention, not my judgment?
No fixing.
No reframing.
Just noticing.
You might be surprised by what becomes available when you let yourself see clearly.
