Being stuck doesn’t always feel like being stuck. Sometimes it feels like comfort.
Familiar tools, familiar people, familiar tasks. You know how it works, you know how to move, you know what’s expected. Until the world shifts and you don’t. The tools change, expectations move, conversations evolve. Suddenly, what used to work doesn’t.
That’s the cost of closing off. Not just falling behind, but losing options.
The Openness Mindset
Being open isn’t the same as chasing trends. It’s not about being on every platform, downloading every app, or reading every new book. It’s a mindset: “Is there something I don’t know here?” “Is there another way to see this?” “Am I resisting, and why?”
Openness isn’t performance, it’s practice. Keeping a part of yourself in beta, always willing to update when the world gives you new data.
The Warning Signs of Closure
The moment you start saying things like “That’s not how we do it,” “We tried that already,” or “I don’t see the point,” you might be building a wall around your own growth.
These phrases feel protective, but they’re actually limiting. They signal that you’ve stopped learning and started defending.
The Four Areas of Openness
Technical openness means staying curious about new tools, platforms, and methods. “What could this technology do that our current approach can’t?” Process openness involves exploring better ways to work and collaborate. “What if we tried approaching this project differently?”
Perspective openness requires welcoming different viewpoints and approaches. “How would someone from outside our industry see this problem?” Feedback openness means actively seeking input about your performance and blind spots. “What am I missing that could make me more effective?”
How to Practice Openness
Ask better questions. Instead of “Why would we do that?” try “What would happen if we did that?” Seek discomfort when something feels foreign or unnecessary and get curious about the resistance. What’s behind it?
Test small rather than overhauling everything. Try new approaches on low-stakes projects first. Study adapters and notice who in your field stays current and relevant. What habits do they have that you don’t?
Invite challenge by asking people to poke holes in your thinking. Make it safe for others to suggest alternatives.
Why This Is Strategic
The people who stay sharp are the ones who stay open. Not naive or unfiltered, just open. They know the world doesn’t ask permission when it changes.
Career advantages emerge naturally. You spot opportunities others miss because you’re paying attention to shifts. You build relationships with innovators because you’re interested in their ideas. You adapt faster when industries change because you’ve been experimenting. You become someone others come to with new ideas because you consider them fairly.
The Relationship Effect
When colleagues see you’re genuinely open to their ideas, they’ll invest more in sharing with you. This creates a learning network that keeps you informed about developments you might otherwise miss.
Openness multiplies your intelligence by tapping into other people’s insights and experiences.
The Balance
Stay grounded. Know who you are. But never close the door completely.
Being open doesn’t mean accepting every idea. It means being willing to consider it. It means keeping a flexible mind because you’re not done learning.
Comfort kills your edge. Curiosity keeps you in the game while others sit still.
Always be open to new things. You might surprise yourself.