The Power of Being Open

If you walk into most retail stores, you will see an "Open for Business" sign listing the hours of operation. It's evident to anyone who walks by when they are and are not ready to do business. There is a noticeable difference when stores are open. The doors are unlocked and, in some cases, propped open. The lighting is on, and staff mill around, waiting to serve you.

You get a very different feeling when you walk into a store "opening up" where it is closed, but people are in the store, getting ready. The staff is less interested in you than their routines for opening the store, so they pay less attention to you. The lights might be half on, half off, with inventory in boxes on the floor waiting to go up on the shelf. It just doesn't have the atmosphere of being ready to serve you.

As a leader, your openness to new ideas is crucial. While it's easy to see when a retail store is opened and closed, it's more challenging with leaders. There isn't always an 'open' sign that you can hang over your head or virtual office. As a result, interruptions, 'fires,' and other distractions can derail your day. This reality leads many leaders to present a 'Closed' sign for most of the day, making their team and others feel they are bothering the leader with their requests. But remember, being open to new ideas is not a sign of weakness but a strength that can inspire and motivate your team.

Leadership is about service, not superiority. Leaders are there to serve their team's needs, not vice versa. The only way for leaders to succeed is if their teams also succeed. This means leaders must be 'open' at the start of and throughout the day, always ready to listen and respond to their team's needs. Building interpersonal relationships, even if it requires time and mental energy, is a crucial part of this process, with a significant return on investment.

Being open means respecting and evaluating the opinions of others, regardless of the source. To see this in action, check out how SpaceX, Tesla, and X owner Elon Musk handled a suggestion from a YouTuber interviewing him. (link).

To his credit, Elon took the time to listen and evaluate the suggestion, even though the interviewer knew much less about the rocket's design. He didn't belittle or handle it arrogantly. He very easily could have dismissed the suggestion based on his knowledge or arrogance, but instead, he was open to the idea that someone else might have a better idea than himself. This approach makes everyone feel included and heard, fostering a culture of respect and collaboration.

So take this week and look for ways to demonstrate that you are "open" to business, new ideas, and collaboration. See what happens when you actively engage, listen to other's input, and evaluate ideas on their merit, not the source.

What are some ways that you have seen leaders demonstrate that they are open to new ideas, suggestions, or feedback? Share your best practices!