The simple habit that can make you more magnetic at work

Get better at: Being magneticToday's moveThe people who command a room aren't just interesting, they're fully present. That allows them to notice how people are reacting and to make those around them feel they have their full attention.To be present during important interactions, you need to first get focused before you arrive. That means you can't be thinking about your to-do list, your last meeting, or what comes after.Why it worksPamela Meyer, author of "How to Read the Room," said taking time to reduce "cognitive load" before a meeting can help you stay focused and engaged during the interaction.A study of more than 1,600 people involving five listening experiments, published in "Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin," found that when people were genuinely listened to, they felt closer and more connected to the listener. Get better at work today That's what being magnetic is about: Making others feel seen by giving them your full attention.Try it todayMeyer recommends a quick pre-arrival exercise to help you better prepare for an interaction where you need to be fully present called PAM: Purpose. Attention. Modulate.First, purpose: Decide on one thing you want to accomplish.Second, attention: Put away your phone and clear the mental and digital distractions competing for your attention.Finally, modulate: Take three breaths and think about the energy you want to bring into the room. The bottom linePeople will feel drawn to you when they feel like way you're paying attention to them.SourceThis insight is drawn from Business Insider's reporting on Pamela Meyer's book, "How to Read the Room." Read more in Business Insider's Ana Altchek's story here.What do you consider to be the signs of a magnetic leader? Tell us what you think of this leadership advice in the comments below. Read next Ana writes about workplace trends, careers, and how AI is reshaping software engineering roles. She also regularly interviews C-suite executives about their trajectories and leadership insights.Ana is the host of "Get Better at Work," a series that offers advice about the habits and behaviors that can help workers stand out and build their careers. She also hosts "Work Shift," which breaks down the biggest workplace news of the week. She holds a master’s degree in multimedia journalism from NYU and has been featured on BBC, NPR, and other global media platforms.Have a tip? You can contact her via email at aaltchek@businessinsider.com or through the secure-messaging app Signal at aalt.19. Get Better at Work Leadership Careers More Advice