Leaders face a mounting challenge in today’s increasingly technological world. People have a host of distracting devices now available at their fingertips. According to research compiled by the HFTP Americas Research Center, Americans check their phone on average once every 12 minutes. Conversations are consistently interrupted by cell phone pings or instant email alerts. Are we collectively too over-distracted? And how do you, as a leader, compete for the attention of the average distracted employee?
HFTP recruited two experts in the field of human behavior to answer these questions (and more) at the 2018 Annual Convention, taking place October 24-26, 2018 at the Omni Louisville Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky USA. Curt Steinhorst and Colette Carlson will tackle the issues of distraction and disconnection in the modern workplace, present effective solutions to overcome these issues, and explore the role that human connection plays in true leadership success.
CURT STEINHORST
Are we really “over-distracted”? Most of us would answer yes, but here’s a surprising truth: We don’t actually know what distraction is. It turns out distraction is hard to define concretely, and even harder to identify reliably.
DING! Your phone just buzzed. Here’s the question: Is checking that notification a distraction?
Answer? No idea.
That’s not a cop-out. We simply can’t know, because this scenario lacks two important pieces of context: What does the message say? and What is important to you in this moment?
Even those questions belie a simplicity that doesn’t exist. Just because a notification is on-topic doesn’t guarantee that it will improve productivity — a “check in” email from your boss only slows you down. And keeping track of what’s important in a given moment is similarly nebulous — a text about a family member in the hospital is likely important to you, no matter the project.
The point is: If we want to be “less distracted” and “more productive,” and do better “attention management,” we have work to do. First, we should define our terms. Second, we must understand the limitations of our attention. And third, we need a better system to determine what matters most.
Most importantly, as we’ll discuss in detail during my keynote presentation: we must do this work together.
Don’t Miss Curt Steinhorst’s Opening Keynote Presentation,
Can I Have Your Attention? Focus Your Team in the Distracted Workplace
at the HFTP 2018 Annual Convention
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
5:30 – 6:45 p.m.
About Can I Have Your Attention? Focus Your Team in the Distracted Workplace: For the first time in history, we live in a world with no barriers to connection or communication. This has fundamentally altered the way we work, engage and relate to one another. The same technology that simplifies processes also compromises our focus, making it ever more difficult to reach increasingly distracted customers. In this intensely practical and informative speech, Curt Steinhorst discusses the great challenges we face in a constantly connected world. He pulls back the curtain to reveal: How did we get here? How deep does the distraction issue go? And, where do we go from here?
About Curt Steinhorst: Steinhorst is the bestselling author of Can I Have Your Attention? Inspiring Better Work Habits, Focusing Your Team, and Getting Stuff Done in the Constantly Connected Workplace. After years studying the impact of tech on human behavior, Steinhorst founded Focuswise, a consultancy that equips organizations to overcome the distinct challenges of the constantly-connected workplace.
COLETTE CARLSON
At the heart of every sale, every interaction between a leader and a team member, every conversation with a customer… is a connection. And yet, in our competitive world filled with a global workforce, numerous communication channels and daily digital distractions, communicating effectively while maintaining respectful, human connection has never been more challenging. My presentation will support you in building these deeper, critical relationships with the teams you lead and support.
In her recent article “3 Investments You Must Make to Stay Connected,” Colette Carlson encourages you to make the “conference connection:”
“Perhaps I’m biased since I speak at conferences weekly, but I witness the conversations, camaraderie and coaching that randomly occurs in the hallways, during meals and even in the washroom! These unplanned moments of connection often equal or surpass the well thought out education provided. If I were to unexpectedly ask anyone in attendance how they can afford the time away from work, the answer would overwhelmingly be, ‘I can’t.’
“Yet, after years of showing up, these same individuals realize they can’t afford not to attend. The savviest attendees maximize their conference investment by proactively creating memorable moments. For example, my colleague and friend, Laurie Guest, organizes a fun friend’s dinner months in advance. She invites an eclectic group of individuals, many even new to her, to gather off-site for conversation and connection. Having been privileged to attend, I’ve also been fortunate to meet a few individuals (who turned into dear friends) that otherwise might never have come across my radar.”
In her article, Colette expresses that genuine, personal connections — like those made at conferences — are invaluable opportunities to engage with people and their ideas, which is vital to successful leadership.
“Effective leaders know deliberate learning is not optional, but a requirement of growth and success. Consistent learning demands an investment of time, money and energy, but the price paid pales in comparison to the abundant returns in awareness, understanding and the development of richer connections to people, places and ideas.”
Colette will further explore these intriguing concepts during her closing keynote presentation, The Connected Leader.
Don’t Miss Colette Carlson’s Keynote Presentation,
The Connected Leader
at the HFTP 2018 Annual Convention
Friday, October 26, 2018
8:00 – 9:15 a.m.
About The Connected Leader: Successful leaders understand the nuances in communication that make a big difference when it comes to inspiring action and cooperation. Leaders understand that words alone do not generate trust, allegiance and loyalty. They know that they must be authentic and exhibit the behaviors conveyed in their message to truly impact and influence teams. In this enlightening session presented by Colette Carlson, learn to connect and communicate on a deeper level to form crucial relationships that drive productivity, engagement and collaboration.
About Colette Carlson: With more than 20 years of experience in the personal development industry, Colette is a human behavior expert and keynote speaker who inspires individuals to connect and communicate in real and relevant ways. How to create effective connections, and leverage them for greater success, is the thread that is woven into every one of Colette’s presentations.
Attend Annual Convention: Start Planning Your HFTP Experience in Louisville Today
Registration for the HFTP 2018 Annual Convention is now open. Full conference registration includes access to all convention activities — the Welcome Reception and table top exhibits, HFTP’s Annual Tribute to Success (formerly known as President’s Evening), all education sessions and scheduled meal functions— and of course, the highly-anticipated, sure-to-be-illuminating keynote presentations by Steinhorst and Carlson.
Avoid the lines on-site and get the best price by registering early online today! (Registration fees increase after September 26, 2018.)
HFTP is also offering a New Member Conference Bundle. For $1,025 USD, receive a full conference registration to Annual Convention plus a one-year membership with HFTP. Click here for more information and a complete list of 2018 Annual Convention registration options.
Make your reservations now for hotel and transportation. The hotel reservation deadline is September 29, 2018.
Briana Gilmore 
is the HFTP communications coordinator.
Briana can be reached at Briana.Gilmore@hftp.org or +1 (512) 220-4017.
