EP99: The Magic of Leading with an Open Mind
A WHOLE NEW WORLD
When we get curious and allow space for new - it opens up a whole new world of goodness.
Enjoy!
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(The notes below are only a brief summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
This past summer – I had a friend who was going to be visiting the Twin Cities of Minnesota where I live. You may recognize her – Amanda Bauner – owner of Me and the Magic and host of the Me and the Magic podcast. (Check out my guest appearance on her podcast where we talked about this trip!)
In the months leading up to her trip - I was thinking about what advice to give her about things to do. At first - I had no idea. I had a pretty narrow focus. Having lived here most of my life - I know what I know - and I’m comfortable with that.
But then – I started to look through a new lens. As I looked at the area through the lens of someone who has never been here before - things really opened up. I was really surprised at how my view expanded! I had lots to share and realized that I had a lot to experience myself!
This highlights the importance of perspective and being open to shifting yours and being willing to look at situations through a different lens.
As humans – can have a narrow focus. There are lots of reasons why. Here are just a few:
There is so much information coming at us all of the time. The brain only has capacity to give so much attention, so it likes to be selective and efficient. Too much information can overwhelm the brain.
Through evolution – humans have developed the ability to focus on immediate threats or essential tasks for survival. This was really crucial for identifying potential dangers, finding food, etc.
Our brains are full of our own beliefs and thoughts – based on experiences, what we were taught, what we’ve learned and been through. And to stay focused on that it easier. Our brains like to keep things easy. We just get comfortable in our own surroundings with our own beliefs and knowledge.
But, we can train our brain to have a wider lens and create space for different perspectives, viewpoints, ideas and ways of doing and being.
As a leader – this is so very important. Because a huge part of leading – however that looks for you – is connecting with, guiding, and inspiring other humans. Humans with their own brains, perspectives, experiencers, beliefs, etc. Not to mention looking for new and innovative strategies, ways of doing business and getting results. By leading with an open mind, you can create positive, inclusive, and forward-thinking environments that contribute to the success of both their teams and the organization as a whole.
The first piece of this is just acknowledging your level of willingness to look at things with an open mind and being open to different perspectives. Perspective is about the lens in which we see the world. It’s your point of view – that is formed by the things I’ve already talked about (things taught, experiences, societal messages, etc.).
It might sound like overkill to bring such awareness to this simple acknowledgment – but it’s really not. Because our brains like to go to what it knows, to our default – and often times – we aren’t even aware of it. One way this shows up is in unconscious bias . This refers to the unconscious assumptions, beliefs, attitudes and stereotypes that human brains have about different groups. These learned mental short-cuts affect how we perceive and respond to people.
We can say “of course I’m open to different perspectives!”. Add on to that thought by also acknowledging that you have a human brain - so you need to be conscious about it, aware of it – and very intentional.
Another thing that is really important is the skill of curiosity. I do think it’s a skill – not all people are naturally curious. Some people are wired to simply move toward results or think that their way is the way. So getting good at being curious is helpful when leading with an open mind. Because having an open mind and being genuinely interested in different perspectives means you really need to be curious. You need to let your brain want to know more, see more,ask questions and minimize immediate judgement.
Benefits of Leading with an Open Mind
Here are some of the benefits of leading with an open mind:
Communication will improve. When you lead with an open mind – you will consider how messages might be perceived by others ahead of time. And also – be open to noticing how things are landing based on facial expressions, responses, results, etc. You can do this without getting defensive – but truly from curiosity – because with an open mind – you know that individuals are unique.
You will develop more empathy. With an open mind – you start to really appreciate different perspectives – and this can naturally lend itself to empathy and compassion. Not only for others – but yourself as well.
It will help when there is conflict to manage and/or difficult situations to face. Conflicts often arise due to differing perceptions of a situation. Leaders who can analyze conflicts from various perspectives are better equipped to find common ground and solutions that address the underlying issues.
As a leader – you are a leader in change – which is constant. When you are more open-minded – you will be more adaptable to change and more resilient as well. This will help in how you lead others through change.
It will help in decision making and innovation. When you consider multiple perspectives – you make more informed choices and can anticipate roadblocks that might come from differing perspectives. And when unique viewpoints are being brought to the table – it can lead to some pretty innovative results!
Open mindedness leads to an diverse and inclusive environment – which also can aid in creating a psychologically safe culture. When people feel valued based on who they are and how they think – they will have higher engagement and a sense of belonging. And we know that this leads to better results overall – for the individuals, the team and the organization.
Ways To Cultivate an Open MInd
Practice self-reflection: Regularly reflect on your own beliefs, biases, and assumptions. Be aware of how these may influence your decision-making and interactions with others.
Practice active listening: Do this by giving your full attention to others when they speak. It might be natural to start thinking about your response as the other person is talking. Be onto yourself and shut that noise down so you can give your attention to them. Avoid interrupting and genuinely seek to understand their perspectives before responding.
Expand your network and seek diverse perspective: Actively seek out diverse viewpoints. You can do this with your team members, through external sources like peers in other industries, podcasts, networking groups, etc.
Challenge your assumptions: Actively challenge your own assumptions and preconceived notions. When you challenge yourself - you can open up space for other perspectives. Ask things like: what else might be true? what might someone else think? what might I be missing?
Embrace feedback: Sometimes it can be hard to hear feedback from others. Check your thoughts on it - what are you making it mean? Let yourself be open to hearing feedback from your team and use it as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
Always be learning: Stay curious, seek out new information, and be willing to adapt your views based on evolving knowledge and experiences. Continuous learning cultivates open-mindedness.
Admit when you’re wrong: We all make mistakes! Acknowledge and take responsibility when you make mistakes or when your initial perspective proves to be incorrect. This will build trust and, again, open up space for different perspectives.
Get to know yourself: Take a personality assessment (such as Insights®). This may reinforce where some of your own perspectives may come from - but also show where some of your characteristics might get in the way of seeing others.
Work with a coach: Someone who is objective, not in your head, can create a safe space and challenge your thinking is such an amazing way to train your brain to see different perspectives and lead with an open mind.
What Do You Think?
How open minded are you in your leadership? Is there room for improvement?
Links
Angie on the Me and the Magic Podcast (11/23)
Episode 13: The Magic of Curiosity [in Leadership]
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