This week on the Impactful Teamwork podcast, I explored two of the most underrated skills in leadership today: Noticing and Listening. As I’ve learned time and time again – through my work with horses, in my leadership retreats, and even during my sabbatical in Africa – true leadership begins with awareness.
Why Noticing Matters More Than You Think
Most of us are running so fast, we forget to stop and take in what’s around us. Yet noticing is not just a mindfulness exercise—it’s a strategic leadership skill. It’s what allows us to tune in to our team’s energy, understand underlying tensions, and lead from a place of clarity and connection.
I learned this lesson the hard way during a conservation trip in Namibia. One evening around a campfire, someone asked me about my experience swimming with dolphins. Despite it being a “bucket list” moment, I couldn’t remember a single detail. Why? Because I hadn’t been present. I was so consumed by work stress and mental distractions that I missed the moment entirely.
That wake-up call was profound. It prompted me to seek more present, grounded experiences—ultimately leading me to live in the African bush and later deepen my connection with horses. These incredible animals, as prey animals, survive by being exquisitely tuned in to their surroundings. Their very lives depend on noticing.
And that’s where the leadership lessons began.
Horses as Masters of Attention
Horses notice everything: a subtle shift in energy, a change in posture, a flicker of emotion. They don’t listen with their ears—they listen with their whole being. And when you’re around them, you’re forced to do the same.
You can’t fake presence with a horse. If you want to lead, you must first be worthy of being followed. That means being grounded, aware, and fully in the moment. If they sense you’re distracted or unaware of what’s going on in the environment, they’ll take charge—or they’ll walk away.
Sound familiar? That’s exactly what happens in human teams too.
Attention is Active, Not Passive
There’s a common myth that listening is passive. That noticing is about standing still. In fact, they’re both highly active skills.
When I run equine-assisted leadership programs, the biggest challenge leaders face is staying fully present. Many want to jump into action or control the outcome—but horses require you to pause, sense, and respond appropriately.
In the business world, this is where most chaos begins. Leaders notice a problem—but instead of pausing to reflect, they jump in and react. And more often than not, that reaction creates more mess than momentum.
As I often say: Leaders should notice first. Pause second. Then act.
The Diamond Model of Leadership
This principle of attention is at the core of the Diamond Model of Shared Leadership™—a model inspired by the way horse herds operate. In this model, attention sits at the top of the diamond. It’s what directs the herd (or team) toward safety, alignment, and direction.
In a herd, all members share responsibility for paying attention. When danger appears, the sentinel horses on the edge of the herd lead the way to safety. Leadership is shared, not static. It’s responsive, not rigid.
The same dynamic is critical in high-performing teams. We all must own the responsibility of noticing what’s going on—in ourselves, in our colleagues, and in the wider environment.
Awakening Awareness with the Unbridled Teamship Roadmap
In my Unbridled Teamship Roadmap, one of the nine core accelerators is called Awaken the Awareness. It sits under the lever of Holistic Partnerships, because you can’t build meaningful partnerships unless you’re truly present and attuned.
This accelerator teaches us to:
- Slow down and sense what’s really happening
- Notice misalignments between intention and impact
- Choose to respond, rather than react
When we awaken our awareness, we move from transactional team interactions to transformational partnerships. This is where trust, innovation, and sustained performance emerge.
Noticing Builds Psychological Safety
Real leadership starts with helping people feel seen, heard, and safe. Harvard Business Review contributor Zach Mercurio describes noticing as “the intentional act of making people feel seen and valued.”
It might sound simple, but in today’s disengaged workplaces, it’s revolutionary.
When you notice someone’s effort, acknowledge their struggle, or simply give them your full attention—you create space for them to thrive. This is the true foundation of psychological safety.
I saw this play out firsthand recently while running a 400-guest restaurant pop-up at a racecourse. When back-of-house staff weren’t present, the waitstaff suddenly realised how much they’d relied on those “invisible” roles. Their appreciation—and attention—shifted. It was a powerful reminder that every role matters, and noticing is a form of respect.
3 Levels of Attention Every Leader Must Cultivate
We’re always listening on three levels:
- Self – What’s going on in your body? Your gut instinct? Your emotional state? Our bodies are constantly giving us feedback—if only we’d listen.
- Others – What’s really going on for your team? Are their words congruent with their body language? Are they silently struggling?
- Environment – What’s happening in the wider business context? Are there changes you’re ignoring? Trends you’re missing?
Failing to pay attention on any of these levels can put your business—and your people—at risk.
Action Steps: How to Practice Noticing and Listening
Here are five simple ways to build your awareness muscle:
1. Stillness Before Strategy
Take 60 seconds of silence before each meeting to ground yourself.
2. Start with a Noticing Round
Ask your team: “What have you noticed this week—about yourself, our team, or the environment?”
3. Mirror What You Sense
Say things like: “I noticed you paused before responding—what’s behind that?”
4. Slow Your Responses
Resist the urge to fill silences. Let insights emerge in the pause.
5. Spend Time in Nature
Nature models presence. Go for a walk and observe what you hear, see, and sense.
The Final Word: Awareness is the Foundation of Great Leadership
If you take one thing from this week’s episode, let it be this:
What might you be missing—about yourself, your team, or your business—simply because you’re not paying attention?
When we awaken awareness, we unlock new levels of trust, clarity, and performance. Whether you’re leading a boardroom or a herd of horses, the message is the same:
Slow down. Pay attention. And lead with presence.
Curious to Go Deeper?
If you’re ready to discover how the Unbridled Teamship Roadmap can help you develop conscious, collaborative, high-performing teams, then let’s talk.
👉 Book your complimentary Turbo-Charge Your Team Audit
👉 Or explore more at www.businesshorsepower.com.
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction to Impactful Teamwork
02:00 The Importance of Noticing and Listening
03:24 Lessons from Africa and Horses
08:16 Applying Noticing in Leadership
15:22 The Diamond Model of Leadership
25:29 Practical Tips for Building Awareness
27:52 Conclusion and Invitation
Great Leaders Make People Feel Noticed – Zach Mercurio – https://hbr.org/2025/05/great-leaders-make-people-feel-noticed
