What does it mean to be situationally aware?
Situational awareness is a competency of emotional intelligence. It is the ability to be keenly aware of our surroundings, noticing what is going on around us, and responding accordingly. In conversations, it's the capacity to understand both stated and unstated ideas. In group situations, it is being able to "size up" a situation and plan an appropriate response. We call it being able to 'read the room', or 'pick up on the vibe'.
Those who are good at this are adept at understanding the underlying forces at play in both the workplace and in their communities, with family, friends, and strangers. They pick up on social and political cues, and are aware of communal norms. They're able to detect crucial social networks which are in place, and can discern who carries the power -- and who doesn't -- in the room. And, they are effective at using these insights to make sound decisions and positively influence others, in the moment.
When someone struggles with this competency, they tend to miss -- a lot. They often are caught up in their head and don't tune into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of others. In conversations, they hear without listening -- getting hung up on someone's specific words and often missing the meaning. Empathy does not come easy for those who struggle with situational awareness, as their own interests are usually first and foremost in their mind. They may unwittingly offend, unaware of how their words can be taken negatively. They may act in ways which are inappropriate. They allow distractions to take them down unwanted paths which lead them away from their goals. They sometimes end up walking off with a group of strangers in the dark on a tropical island.
A Culture of Distraction
Most of us exist in a distracted state of mind, which does not lend itself to situational awareness. Though there are many sources of distraction, modern technology is probably the number one offender. The next time you're in a room full of people, look around (when you can take a moment from staring at your phone of course). What do you see? Notice how many of the people are looking down, intent on their screens. In Steve Tobak's article, The Problem with Our Perpetually Distracted Culture, he writes, "No one is immune to the constant distraction of tweets, YouTube videos, Facebook posts, Instagram selfies, podcasts, Amazon purchases, Twitch contests and streaming content."A few weeks back I was walking, and counted -- 8 of the 10 others I passed were looking down at their phones as they walked.
Francisco Saez, in his blog entitled, The Culture of Distraction, points out that this continual flow of distraction can have some pretty negative effects, producing outcomes like decreased creativity, efficiency, and productivity. Not to mention the strain it can have on relationships. He notes, "By constantly attending to your phone when you are talking face-to-face with someone, you are showing them that any nonsense is more important than their conversation or their company." Not the most effective route toward how to win friends and influence others.
"I think a lot of times we can get distracted and not be in the moment with people and be missing all the life happening in the moment." - Angela Kinsey
As a side note, there's a bit of brain science behind why we are so attracted to our screens. Notifications (think, the little red flag and bell which tells you someone has texted or emailed you) triggers the production of dopamine, the "reward" neurotransmitter, to be released in our brains. It is "instant attention" which feels good, says Dr. Catherine Jackson, a licensed psychologist and neurotherapist, in an interview with author Carolyn Steber. And we like to feel good.
Research shows that one in three people across the globe -- and four out of five Americans -- own a smartphone. And we know all too well the addictive relationship we have with our devices. Think about the panic you experience when you misplace your phone. It even has a name -- nomophobia -- the fear of being without access to a working cell phone. Research shows that Americans check their phones 96 times a day, and one in four adults awake in the night to check their phone. Other studies show that our attention spans have decreased from 12 to eight seconds since the dawn of the mobile phone era, around 2000.
Of course, the use of technology has become a necessity to be successful and stay connected, both at work and social functions. I'm not saying get rid of your devices. But note just how much time you spend each day staring at your screen, and how much the distractions within are negatively impacting your situational awareness. As with any bad habit, it's the overuse of (and addiction to) it which can create a hurdle to your development.
And technology is just one source of distraction. What else prevents you from being situationally aware? Maybe you are caught up in worries, or always thinking about what's next instead of being in the moment. Maybe you are constantly being interrupted by others, coming in to ask you questions. Maybe your personal interests -- things like gaming or social media or watching shows -- distract you from fully tuning in to what's going on around you.
Take a moment to list out all of the things which distract you from staying aware of your surroundings, tuning into others, and accomplishing the things you want to get done.
Developmental Tips
As with all competencies of emotional intelligence, situational awareness can be developed. Here are a few places to start:
Learn about the informal structures, procedures and practices that are currently in place at work and personal life. If you're not sure, ask around. Get into the habit of watching and listening.
Seek to better understand the social workings within your workplace, especially those within your team. Spend time with colleagues and coworkers outside of work. Find out what is important to them, what they value, and who they value.
Review your list of distractions. Which ones consume most of your time? Which ones are causing you to 'miss' on more important events throughout the day?
Make note of the benefits you might gain if you were to be more attentive to what is going on around you. How could developing more situational awareness empower your success?
Identify the characteristics and behaviors of individuals who are successful in the organization or social situations. What social cues are they tuned into? What do they notice that others do not?
"There are always distractions, if you allow them." - Tony La Russa
Distractions aren't going anywhere, but we do have a choice as to when and how long we attend to them. Consider setting aside a block of time for your distractions. For example, if a constant stream of emails keep you from tuning in to more important issues at work, schedule some time each day to respond to them, and try to only respond during that scheduled time. If scrolling on your phone watching video clips is keeping you from what you should be doing, set aside some time in the evening for it. Don't forget to set an end time as well!
Our lives are best lived when we are in alignment with our values, and becoming more situationally aware helps us stay focused on our values. Take note of what is important to you, and get in the habit of noticing how and when your distractions may be causing you to miss.
"The challenge for so many of us is that we are so deep into daily distractions and 'being busy, busy' that we miss out on those moments and opportunities that -- if jumped on -- would get our careers and personal lives to a whole new level of wow." - Robin S. Sharma
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