Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence

Modern life is full of disruption and interruption, and many of us live in a state of continuous partial attention, checking email while having dinner, talking on the phone while driving, texting while in a meeting. Is this what it means to flourish? It comes as no surprise that author, psychologist, and science journalist Daniel Goleman, Ph.D., one of our nation’s leading researchers of social and emotional intelligence, should turn his attention to the topic of, well, attention. He is the author of Emotional Intelligence (1996), The Emotionally Intelligent Workplace (2001), Social Intelligence (2006), and Leadership: The Power of Emotional Intelligence (2011). In his brand-new book, Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence, Dr. Goleman explores multiple manifestations of focus: concentration, selective attention, open awareness, self- awareness, empathy and systems awareness, categorizing these as inner, other, and outer focus. All three require listening and attention skills, the ability to absorb feedback, correct errors and add new learning.

For this presentation, Dr. Goleman will explain concepts and mental training techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, focused preparation and resilience, and the importance of competence over intelligence. Long lauded for his views on the “emotionally intelligent leader,” he posits that a well-focused leader can blend together self-awareness (inner), social intelligence (other) and big-picture thinking (outer). This drives excellence not only for leaders, but also for anyone seeking a well-lived life, the “serious play” we most need.

NOTE:  On Wednesday, November 20, there is NEXT-DAY SEMINAR,  Renewing Our Sense of Calling: Cultivating Inner Strength in Ourselves and Our Children, presented by Linda Lantieri, MA, Director, The Inner Resilience Project in New York City. CPDUs available.