OPEN MINDED VS CLOSED MINDED
As small business owners time is a precious commodity and spending time with closed-minded people is seldom productive. It’s important to be able to tell the difference so that you can surround yourself with open minded people, both as business associates as well as clients. Let’s look at some of the characteristics that are found in these two categories:Closed-minded people:
- Don’t want their ideas challenged.
- Don’t ask questions, they would rather do the talking.
- Are not interested in your perspective – they want you to understand theirs.
- Make believe that they are open-minded by saying “I could be wrong, but this is my opinion.”
- Like to dominate a conversation.
- Often lack a sense of humility.
Open-minded people:
- Understand that there may be another point of view.
- Ask questions that help them better understand.
- Are willing to look at something through others’ eyes.
- Know when to ask a questions and when to make a statement.
- Are more interested in listening than in speaking.
- Are willing to admit that they may be wrong.
Whether you are at a networking meeting (should be attending a “give working meeting”) or calling on a prospect, these characteristics will tell you how much time you should spend with people. The art of “reading people”, that is being able to identify their potential as a client, a referral source or even a friend is an important discipline that all small business owners need to possess.
Take an internal look. Are you open-minded when you meet other people?
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Tips & Advice by Nick Petra, CFP – Founder of Strategic Duck and BizQuack
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