I was facilitating a management offsite with a goal of improving communication among leaders. During the discussion, one of the participants enthusiastically said that she was open to the ideas of others as long as people realized that her opinions were the right ones.
What?!?
Although having strong beliefs is admirable, being inflexible and unwilling to consider other perspectives is a surefire way to limit your personal growth and lose the respect of your colleagues.
Inflexibility strains relationships. Few people enjoy engaging with someone who is unwilling to see another side. Uncompromising attitudes can quickly lead to conflicts, resentment, and alienation from your colleagues. Successful relationships require give-and-take and the ability to thoughtfully consider diverse opinions.
When those in positions of power refuse to even consider other perspectives, it creates an uncomfortable precedent. This close-mindedness alienates people who have different ideas and experiences to contribute. Over time it breeds resentment, as people feel unheard and that their input is unwelcome.
Strong leaders recognize that they don’t have a monopoly on good ideas and cultivate an environment where diverse voices can be raised.
Those suffering from opinion inflexibility often genuinely believe they are always right. However, this belief is misguided and prevents meaningful exchanges. Leaders who arrogantly cling to the notion they’re always right end up disconnected from reality.
Successful relationships require give-and-take, a willingness to compromise, and the humility to thoughtfully consider differing opinions. Unhealthy opinion inflexibility may initially allow egos to remain unchallenged, but it inevitably leads to strained relationships, poor decisions, and a lack of personal growth.
While passionate beliefs are admirable, leaders should remain open to new information and perspectives. Stubbornly clinging to existing opinions without being willing to overlook or reconsider them prevents true wisdom.
“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.”
– William James
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