You Work too Hard When You Close Minds

Disengagement begins in the mind.

Leaders who close minds defeat themselves.

7 Ways Leaders Close Minds:

1. Explaining facts. Information apart from seeking input causes disengagement.
2. Convincing others your idea is right. Advocate but don’t bulldoze.
3. Repeating the same thing. Consistently talk about purpose. Focus on purpose more than tasks. Who are you serving? What are you trying to accomplish beyond delivering a result?
4. Telling others their idea is wrong. Dismissive leaders drain people. People learn to nod their heads when you disregard suggestions.
5. Raising your voice. Don’t treat conversations like presentations.
6. Delegating tasks. People rise to responsibility when they have authority. Task lists are burdens; responsibilities are opportunities.
7. Ignoring contributions. Work that goes unnoticed feels unvalued. Cheer effort and energy as well as results. You won’t celebrate much if you wait for the end of the race.

5 Ways Leaders Open Minds:

A leader with a closed mind has a disengaged team.

Openness impacts engagement. A closed mind knows. Leaders with closed minds resist new ideas, interrupt, reject feedback, and dismiss alternative perspectives.

Confidence opens; fear closes. Practice openness even when you’re convinced you know. “Those who think they know, don’t.” Edward de Bono

Consider Nicolas Chamfort’s idea, “What I learned, I no longer know. What little I still know, I have guessed.”

1. Be wrong even when you think you’re right. Humility knows there’s more to know.
2. Listen quietly. Take notes.
3. Say the magic words, “Tell me more.”
4. Explore input by asking, “How did you come to this idea?”
5. Embrace uncertainty with confidence. “I’m not sure, but I believe we can figure this out.”

How do leaders close minds?

How do leaders open minds?

Still curious:

The 10 Best Ways to Spot a Close-Minded Leader

16 Simple Ways You Can Lead Engaging Meetings

How to Be Open-Minded and Why It Matters