“Watch what a person pays attention to and you can tell what their unconscious intention is.”

This weekend on Meet The Press General Michael Hayden, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency said: “It is difficult for us to judge intent so we have to work back from action.” This is how the CIA trys to determine what the intentions of various countries are. It is not easy.

Leaders in organizations have the same dilemma, they are continually striving to decipher the intentions of their people, their competition and policy makers in government. We all know that actions are much more reliable than words. This is being demonstrated everyday on television by the politicians trying to persuade people to vote for them over their competitor. How often do they do what they say they will do?

In my coaching it is critical to understand the difference between what people say and what they do. You have to do the same thing. I would recommend that you spend some high quality time and effort to become a student of people.

Several of the articles on this site discuss “how” to read people. There are many books on the subject. My seminars are designed to share insights on how to read people as part of the “understanding” required for effective leadership and communication.

The CIA is tasked to go to places and do things that regular folk don’t. This is the core of how we achieve the requisite intelligence to defend our country and our way of life. You need to approach your personal life in the same manner, if you wish to achieve great things.

Push your comfort zones, study how to understand people, learn how to ask the tough questions. It is necessary for your long term survival and success.