Staying Focused in an Age of Distraction | Erik Qualman
Digital Leadership Expert and Best-Selling Author, Erik Qualman has a core message that's simple but powerful: the real challenge of the digital age isn’t access to information, it’s how we choose to direct our attention, energy and intention inside an environment designed to constantly pull us away from what matters most.
Every platform, brand and algorithm is competing for our attention, but where we place it ultimately shapes our lives, our relationships, our work, our creativity and our sense of purpose. Erik has spent more than a decade helping global organizations, leaders and teams understand how digital technology is reshaping how we think, work and lead. Through his books, research, and global speaking work, he has shaped how companies and individuals think about digital behavior, not just as a technology issue, but as a human one.
In this conversation, we talk about how focus actually works, why modern technology makes it harder than ever to maintain it, and — most importantly — how parents and leaders can intentionally build focus as a skill in themselves and in the next generation.
Why this matters:
→ Focus isn’t just a productivity tool, it’s a survival skill for the modern world. Today’s digital ecosystem is designed to fragment attention. Without intentional focus habits, we don’t just lose productivity, we lose depth, creativity, and the ability to think independently.
→ Kids who learn to control their attention early will have an enormous life advantage. Focus impacts everything — learning, emotional regulation, confidence, creativity, and resilience. Kids who can direct attention intentionally will be better equipped to navigate social pressure, digital noise, and rapid change.
→ The ability to align attention with values may be one of the most important skills we can pass on to the next generation.
