Entrepreneurs: 4 Reasons Why Having an Open Mind Equals Success

As an entrepreneur, you probably have a strong work ethic, a lot of passion for your company and products, and a can-do attitude that gets you through a lot of long weeks in the office.

Another trait that will also help entrepreneurs like you succeed is open-mindedness. In order for your start-up to succeed in today’s business climate, it is especially important for you to be open to new ideas and strategies. As for why this is the case, please consider the following points:

The Importance of Versatility

Almost a decade ago, Dr. Henry Kissinger talked with a reporter for The New Yorker about the concept of his generation being unable to adapt to change—especially when compared to modern-day entrepreneurs. Discussing “The Age of the Unthinkable,” a book written by his protégé,Joshua Cooper Ramo, Dr. Kissinger “was full of high praise.” Ramo, who is now the vice chairman and co-chief executive of Kissinger Associates, the consulting firm of former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, has written and talked about the importance of versatility for much of his career. Having been successful in multiple industries—including journalism, business and TV—he’s someone entrepreneurs can look to for real insights on how to navigate change in an increasingly complex world.

New Ideas = More Success

If your business is already enjoying a great deal of success, it may be tempting to think “I did it! I’ve achieved my goals. Why should I change anything?” But nothing is further from the truth. While you may be tempted to rest on your laurels, you should always be on the lookout for new innovations and ideas and constantly brainstorm better ways to run your company. For example, even though you have always relied onprint and TV adsto get the word out about your start-up, being open minded to other marketing concepts, such as opening accounts on social media and actively posting about your company on Facebook and Twitter, may help get you additional customers.

Learn & Gain

In order for entrepreneurs to become and remain successful in business, they need to adopt what is called a growth mindset. This type of person truly enjoys learning and teaching and will also seek out knowledge from people both in their industry and outside of it. While a successful business person may want to think of him or herself as an expert in the field, this type of thinking can stunt the person’s learning, preventing him or her from being open to new ideas.Ask your customers for feedbackon their shopping experience with your company, and poll your employees to see what they would like to do differently in the workplace. Embrace other peoples’ ideas and continue in your quest to learn more about your industry, clients and team and your company will likely become even more successful.

Inspire Others

If you have an open mind in business, your creativity can have a positive impact on your employees. By being on the lookout for new ways to do things and embracing change and improvements whenever possible, your team will be inspired to do the same. This can lead to an overall boost in positive energy and creativity in your company.

Open Your Mind & Embrace Success

Business owners who have enjoyed a level of success are definitely self-starters with a lot of positive attributes. But it is also important to recognize that even the most successful people do not know everything there is to know in the world. By following the advice of well-seasoned experts and constantly being alert to new things to learn, your company may become more successful than ever.

Published by Kidal Delonix (1200 Posts)

Kidal Delonix is a contributor to Mr. Hoffman's blog. The views and opinions are entirely his/her own and may not reflect Mr Hoffman's views.