[pinit count=”horizontal”]
People say you should be open-minded — accepting of people from diverse backgrounds, listening without judging, and considering all sides of an issue. Even though that’s sensible in theory, some folks find it difficult in practice. That’s troubling because having an open mind is not only the right thing to do, it’s beneficial in ways you’ve never imagined. Are you open or closed-minded? Keep an open mind as you review this list. You may be more closed-minded than you think.
Are You Closed-Minded?
Do you:
Make up your mind before you start?
Surround yourself exclusively with like-minded people?
Discount or ignore opposing viewpoints?
Feel you’re too old to learn anything new?
Make decisions without input?
Subscribe to a “we’ve always done it this way” mentality?
Spend more time talking than listening?
Use language or jargon that isolates you from others?
Request feedback from only a chosen few?
View the world as black or white?
Judge a person’s ideas based on rank, age, gender, or race?
Create red tape or a bureaucratic jungle that limits feedback?
Feel threatened by smart or successful people?
Bully people to sway them to your opinion?
Subscribe primarily to information that confirms your existing beliefs?
Feel that your title entitles you to be right all the time?
Separate yourself from others by belonging to cliques?
Think this list doesn’t apply to you?
Open your eyes to the world around you. You just may learn something. It will make your decisions better, your relationships stronger, and it will transform you into a more enlightened person. Being open-minded doesn’t require a major investment of your time but rather, a fresh new way of thinking. It requires you to be a sponge — obtaining information from various sources, seeking input from people of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, and evaluating that input based on its merits rather than on whether it conforms to your way of thinking. Are you open or closed-minded? If you’re not open-minded, leave the door open to it.
Are You Open-Minded?
Please leave a comment and tell us what you think or share it with someone who can benefit from the information.
Additional Reading:
This Discussion Has No Room for Debate
Should Your Viewpoint Matter More Than Mine?
Freedom of Speech Carries Responsibility
Keep An Open Mind
Prejudice: “All” Is an Ugly Word
How Do You See the World Around You?
If you like this article, subscribe to our blog so that you don’t miss a single post. Get future posts by RSS feed, email or Facebook. It’s FREE.
Excellent points as always Frank. But the hardest of all is to be open minded about those who we think are close minded. Sometimes for example, the world should be treated as black or white. What drives me crazy are all the folks who are afraid to call a ball or strike for fear that they will appear close minded. Our mania for open mindedness has also led to the privileging of feelings over logic, and the subjective over the objective. Finally, once a decision has been made and it becomes time to “get it done” we need to “cut off debate” even at the risk of being accused of close mindedness. In my own case, I am close minded about a lot of things. Like you I think the kinds of values the work in life are as old as the Greeks, and if someone starts arguing that “the truth is what I feel it is” then they will find I don’t have time to listen any longer. Yes, my time is precious and after years of thinking my mind is made up on certain issues.
Hi Augie
People who are afraid to call a ball or strike aren’t close-minded…they’re cowards 🙂
As you may know, I believe that compromising your principles, even one time, can be a terrible mistake.
That being said, you’ll never really know if your ideas are sound until they are challenged. Being open-minded doesn’t demand a major investment of time but rather, a new way of thinking. It requires you to be a sponge — seeking input from people of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, and evaluating that input based on its merits rather than on whether it conforms to your way of thinking.
If you want to encourage bold fresh ideas or solve the world’s ills, it’s vital to venture outside your comfort zone by embracing vigorous discussion. Debate encourages people to challenge viewpoints. This back-and-forth exchange exposes the strengths and weaknesses of an argument and emboldens everyone to either build on its merits or discard it. It also facilitates the understanding of opposing viewpoints and challenges everyone to consider various sides of an issue.
On the other hand, when you suppress information, limit discussion, or restrict debate, you stifle personal growth, and cripple progress.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
A lot of it comes from reflection and knowing that one (a leader) should ask the right questions. We believe many managers don’t know that they’re close minded. They could be guided to change their thinking.
That’s an important point. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Best,
Frank