The Power of Focus in Executive Communication
Jun 12, 2025
Ever tried to do seven things at once? Guilty.
As an executive leader, juggling a million responsibilities feels like a job requirement. You’re making high-level decisions, managing people, hitting KPIs, fielding emails, and trying to be an empathetic, visionary communicator—all before your second cup of coffee. But let’s be honest: doing everything at once doesn’t mean doing everything well.
This morning, I got a very real, very furry reminder of that truth.
Like most mornings, I took our golden retriever, Junie, for her usual walk around the neighborhood. But our neighborhood isn’t your typical suburban block. We’re talking turkeys, sandhill cranes, squirrels, armadillos, lizards, snakes, goats, chickens, and yes—wild boars. It’s basically Florida’s version of a safari.
Junie’s a good dog—still a puppy, full of curiosity and chaos, but usually pretty well-behaved on her 25-foot retractable leash. Until, of course, there’s a squirrel.
And today, there was.
Just seconds after I made the mistake of glancing at my phone to reply to a quick text, Junie spotted one and bolted. Fifty pounds of muscle and motivation launched forward with the full force of her golden retriever spirit. My right arm didn’t stand a chance.
After the dust (and leaves) settled, it hit me like a ton of bricks.
This wasn’t just about my dog. It was a metaphor for how I sometimes lead. Maybe how you lead too.
When Leaders Lose Focus
I’m not proud to admit it, but I’ve had moments, whole seasons even, where I’ve spread my attention too thin. I’ve tried to be everywhere, say everything, respond to everyone, and check all the boxes without actually being present.
And the cost of that? Influence.
Here’s what happens when we lead like that:
- We become distracted communicators.
- We respond reactively instead of proactively.
- We say the right things, but miss the real things.
- Our teams feel overlooked, misunderstood, and undervalued.
Have you been there? You think you’re doing a great job because you’re “getting it all done,” only to look up and realize your team isn’t engaged. They’re not following your lead because they don’t feel led, they feel managed. And management without connection is a fast track to disengagement.
The Executive Trap: Busy Over Presence
If you’re an executive leader, chances are you wear many hats. You’re constantly navigating urgent demands and important relationships. But in that nonstop juggling act, there’s a dangerous lie we often buy into: that being busy equals being effective.
The truth? Great leaders don’t just get stuff done, they create clarity. They build trust. They make people feel seen, heard, and valued.
And that doesn’t happen by multitasking through meetings or firing off one-line Slack messages between back-to-back calls. It happens when we slow down and focus. When we move out of reactive mode and intentionally choose to lead with people, not at them.
The Lesson Junie Taught Me
Junie didn’t yank my arm because she’s a bad dog. She did it because I was distracted. I wasn’t fully present in the moment, and in that small gap, everything went sideways.
That’s how it happens in leadership too.
When we lose focus:
- We miss the early warning signs of a struggling employee.
- We gloss over a tension that desperately needs resolving.
- We assume alignment when disconnection is quietly growing.
But when we choose to stay present, when we actually listen, engage, and lead with intention—we build something powerful. We lead well.
Three Questions Every Executive Leader Should Ask
After my impromptu squirrel-chase morning, I asked myself a few hard questions. Maybe they’ll help you too:
- Am I truly present in my conversations, or just physically there?
Presence isn’t proximity. It’s emotional, intellectual, and strategic engagement. If your team feels like you're always half-distracted, they’ll stop bringing their whole selves to the table too. - Is my communication focused, clear, and intentional?
Scattered communication leads to scattered teams. Confusion is expensive. Clarity, on the other hand, aligns people, energizes culture, and builds momentum. - What’s the one thing only I can do today, and am I doing it well?
Executives aren’t supposed to do everything. You’re supposed to do the essential things, what only you can uniquely contribute to the mission, vision, and culture.
Three Practical Strategies to Reclaim Your Focus
If any of this is hitting home, you’re not alone. Here are three practical ways to refocus and lead with greater clarity today:
- Block Your “Presence Time”
Don’t just schedule meetings, schedule time for presence. That means undistracted, phone-down, eye-contact, fully-in-the-room time. Whether it's walking the floor, hosting a Q&A, or having a one-on-one, make it intentional. - Use the “One-Minute Pause”
Before your next meeting or conversation, take sixty seconds to reset. Ask: What’s the goal here? Who needs to feel seen? What does success look like in this moment? That pause helps you shift from doing to leading. - Communicate With, Not At
At Speak with People, we believe healthy leadership communication is the secret sauce of great culture. It’s rooted in empathy, clarity, and purpose. Make sure your communication invites collaboration, not just compliance.
The Real Takeaway
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t have to master everything overnight. But if you want to lead a high-performing team, cultivate a strong culture, and create lasting influence, it starts here:
Don’t lose sight of the main thing.
Put down the phone. Zoom in. Pay attention. Because when you lead with focus, you build trust.
When you communicate with intention, you cultivate connection. And when you show up fully, you empower your team to do the same.
By Jason Raitz - CEO, Speak with People With over 25 years of experience, Jason has spoken from stages across the country, inspiring and motivating his audiences with stories, laughter, and practical tools to succeed. Book Jason for your next conference or workshop.
