“What Is Attention?” — A Global K-Lab Exploration

The Topic

In May, we hosted a global K-Lab session that invited participants from all over the world to explore a deceptively simple question: What is attention? This gathering brought together both longtime participants and first-timers for a unique exchange of ideas through silent ideation, reflective breathing, and collaborative inquiry.

Opening Circle

To start, participants were invited to share their names, locations, and motivations.

John (Washington, D.C.): K-Lab regular, happy to be part of the community.

Meme (Ghana): First-timer, didn’t know what to expect, but excited to learn.

Bertrand (Kitchener): DevOps and AI specialist, joined to reconnect with Joel and explore relevant themes.

Dalila (Algeria): Works in a technical research centre, joined to practice English and engage after her students participated in a previous K-Lab.

Grounding: Creating Space for New Ideas

Next, Joel set the tone by reminding us:

"When we create space in the mind, we create space to pay attention to ideas that arise."

With that reminder, the group took a moment to breathe in and out with presence.

For me, this practice has always revealed something about my state of mind and today as I paused to reflect on the session’s central question—What is attention?—here’s what surfaced:

Attention is where I place my focus, consciously or unconsciously. If I’m not mindful, my attention goes to places I don’t want. Taking the time to be present helps me to notice where my attention likes to go and provides me with the opportunity to shift it in a constructive direction.

Silent Co-Construction

In the co-construction phase, participants worked in silence to generate insights. Here are some key prompts and ideas that surfaced on the theme of Attention.

What is Attention?

• Priorities -"In the zone"
• Focus

What is Sovereignty?

• “I am the king of my kingdom”

What senses help us pay attention?

• Intuition (a “sixth sense”?)

What is Learning?

• “Each one of us has a different way of seeing the context and sharing that unique view”
• Belief revision, phenomenology, epistemology
• “Learning allows me to acquire what I need to survive”

What is Knowledge?

• “Knowledge is a pattern of neurons that fire together”
• Phenomenology (how we understand concepts / words)
• Epistemology (study of knowledge)

Can We Pay Attention While Stressed?

• Each one of us has a different way of seeing the context
• “Where attention goes, neural firing flows”

How Do We Share Knowledge?

• Storytelling, collaboration, people-process-tech
• People, process, technical frameworks

Sharing Phase: Connecting the Dots

Using the Laser Tool, participants explained the meaning behind their thought bubbles..

In watching the video of the session and reviewing participants' thought bubbles on Web-Idea-Pro, I’m blown away by the quality of ideas. There were some fantastic insights that expanded my perspective on the topic of attention, but also on the topics of knowledge, learning, sovereignty and human connection.

This was an all-encompassing K-Lab that generated a wide-ranging set of insights.

“I loved this experience because it shows collaboration, but also it shows different points of view… In life people think there’s only one truth and it’s nice to see people from different places and professions.” -Bertrand

Closing Circle

It’s here where participants shared their comments, learnings, ideas and feelings. The feedback was super positive with participants enjoying their K-Lab experience and looking forward to the next one.

Meme said, “Please invite me back!”

Dalila said described the session as, “an enriching experience”

John loved the diversity and opportunity for dialogue

Bertrand valued the collaboration between participants and the diversity of perspectives

Joel said, “Thank you for a fantastic experience—see you at the next K-Lab!”

These sessions continue to remind me that attention isn’t just a mental skill—it’s a form of presence. And when we give it space, surprising insights can arise, not just for ourselves, but for the whole group.

Can’t wait to see you at the next K-Lab! Want to register? Reach us here.