When people feel invisible at work, they disengage. As a leader, one of your most powerful tools is the ability to notice—deliberately, consistently, and with purpose. Here’s how to do it.

Recognize the barriers to seeing others.  For example, the erosion of our ability to pay attention is one barrier, and always feeling a sense of urgency is another. Rushing through conversations or relying on autopilot interactions causes you to miss key cues. Set an intention before meetings: Focus, ask thoughtful questions, and look for signals that someone might be struggling or thriving.

Make space and time for connection. In meetings, go beyond agenda items and check in on people’s energy or workload. Use in between moments—before calls, in hallways—as opportunities to build connection. Even brief check-ins can foster trust when they’re grounded in care.

Ask better questions to gather insight. Skip generic openers like “How’s your day?” Instead, ask meaningful, open-ended questions, such as “What has your attention today?” that are more specific and show sincere interest. Follow up with curiosity. Also consider simple team-building exercises to check in with your group and understand how they’re really doing.

Adapted from Great Leaders Make People Feel Noticed by Zach Mercurio

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