Open-mindedness: Bullsh*t or Superpower? Forget charisma, forget vision. The one quality truly separating innovation rockstars from the mediocre is a shockingly underrated superpower: open-mindedness.
About 7 years ago I was chatting with the owner of a large group that owns many car dealerships like Hyundai, Land Rover, Jaguar, Chevrolet, and others. We discussed implementing a sales and appointment-setting chatbot in one of his dealerships. The project was a go and we did it.
The process was one of the most seamless experiences I’ve had with a client. Why? First of all, this person was very open-minded. He didn’t ask me for a chatbot; I pitched it to him at a random meeting. He said, “Tell me more.” I made a cool presentation with some potential use cases, answered his questions, met with his executive team, developed a project plan, agreed on a price, and executed it.
Afterward, I did more business with him on his other businesses.
I remember one time during dinner he said to me, “Jorge, I’m more open-minded than most people my age. I’m open to try things and see what happens.” What he said was consistent with his behavior, not just with me but with how he operated his businesses.
The most seamless experiences I’ve had doing projects and consulting have happened because the owner, the leader of the business, was very open-minded.
Being open-minded is a superpower
In a world obsessed with speed and efficiency, it’s tempting to dismiss open-mindedness as a fluffy, feel-good trait. But for leaders driving innovation, it’s more akin to a superpower. Here’s why:
- Embracing diverse perspectives: Innovation thrives on the clash of ideas. By being open to different viewpoints, even those seemingly outlandish, leaders tap into a wider pool of possibilities. This leads to solutions that wouldn’t exist otherwise, like the Post-it note born from a failed adhesive.
- Fostering a culture of creativity: When a leader demonstrates openness, they send a powerful message: “It’s safe to challenge, experiment, and think outside the box.” This unleashes the creative potential within the team, leading to a constant flow of novel ideas.
- Encouraging continuous learning: The world is constantly changing, and so are the needs of customers and industries. Open-minded leaders stay curious, actively seeking out new information, trends, and technologies. This adaptability keeps them ahead of the curve and fuels continuous innovation.
- Building stronger relationships: Innovation rarely happens in isolation. It often requires collaboration across diverse teams, disciplines, and even organizations. Open-minded leaders are better at understanding and appreciating different perspectives, building trust, and fostering productive partnerships.
- Accepting and learning from failures: Failure is an inevitable part of the innovation process. However, closed-minded leaders often see it as a personal attack, leading to defensiveness and stifling future attempts. Open-minded leaders view failures as valuable learning experiences, analyzing them with curiosity and using them to improve future endeavors.
Examples of Open-mindedness in Action
- Steve Jobs: A notorious perfectionist, Jobs was also known for his relentless pursuit of diverse perspectives. He actively sought out feedback from designers, engineers, and even everyday customers, leading to groundbreaking products like the iPhone.
- Elon Musk: Musk’s companies, from SpaceX to Tesla, are built on audacious goals and unconventional thinking. His openness to seemingly impossible ideas has paved the way for revolutionary achievements in aerospace and electric vehicles.
- Indra Nooyi: As CEO of PepsiCo, Nooyi encouraged her team to challenge the status quo and embrace disruptive ideas. This led to successful innovations like Aquafina water and the expansion into healthier snack options.
Becoming an Open-minded Leader
Open-mindedness is not a fixed trait, but a skill that can be cultivated. Here are some steps:
- Actively seek out diverse perspectives: Read books and articles from different viewpoints, engage in open-ended discussions, and encourage team members to challenge your assumptions.
- Practice intellectual humility: Acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers and be willing to learn from others, even if it means changing your mind.
- Embrace discomfort: Step outside your comfort zone and experiment with new ideas, even if they seem strange or risky.
- Celebrate different thinking styles: Appreciate the strengths of diverse team members and create an environment where everyone feels safe to share their ideas.
By unlocking the power of open-mindedness, leaders can not only drive innovation but also build a more adaptable, resilient, and successful organization. Remember, the future belongs to those who embrace the unknown and dare to think differently.
Bottom line: As a leader, you are either accelerating or impeding progress. Do you know what drives progress? Innovation. One of the traits of innovators is being open-minded. Stay open to the possibility.
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