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Creating an open-minded workplace culture is not merely a warm and fuzzy ethical consideration. Rather, it is a highly effective way to improve employee engagement through better teamwork and problem-solving.

When leadership takes an open-minded approach, it:

  • Fosters collaboration between employees, which introduces a large variety of new ideas and perspectives that might have otherwise been overlooked.
  • Encourages employees to take a proactive approach to problem-solving by reassuring them that their knowledge, skill set, and ideas are valid.

Mastering the creation of an open-minded workplace is key to engaging and retaining employees. Below are details on why it is so effective and tips on how to achieve it.

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN OPEN-MINDED WORKPLACE

In an open-minded workplace, one employee’s contributions are not superior to another’s. All employees are viewed as equal when it comes to the value of their contributions. Favoritism for any reason is strongly frowned upon and vocally discouraged. These factors are crucial to providing an environment in which every single person feels comfortable sharing insights.

Regardless of whether they are small or large, in-person meetings should be conducted in a respectful manner. This entails:

  • Making it clear that each attendee can share their thoughts without fear of judgment or retribution.
  • Giving every person in attendance the opportunity to speak up and express their opinions – without getting cut off or interrupted.
  • Encouraging and supporting attendees to introduce new, out-of-the-box ideas.

HOW AN OPEN-MINDED APPROACH CAN IMPROVE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

When employees feel like they are valued, the likelihood of them becoming and remaining engaged increases considerably. It motivates them to become active participants on their team, as opposed to doing the bare minimum when a belief that making a concerted effort is futile. An open-minded culture positions each and every employee as a partner to leadership, instead of a subordinate.

This equality supports open, and better, communication between teammates. Feedback and solutions flow more readily because employees are confident they will be received well – even if they are not applied. Respect is the order of the day.

Leaders who display an open-minded attitude towards their employees are the foundation of a workplace that embraces it; they drive it. The results of a recent study published in Psychological Research underscore this fact. They showed that people with social and cognitive flexibility are creative thinkers and good problem solvers. (1)

Think about how this finding translates to those in a leadership position. Do you want leaders who are receptive to potential solutions and insightful feedback? Who fosters open communication and mutual respect between their employees? Of course, you do. Socially and cognitively flexible leaders possess these traits.

STRATEGIES TO MAKE YOUR WORKPLACE CULTURE MORE OPEN-MINDED

Reaping the benefits of an open-minded workplace culture is possible when you implement the following strategies.

Create a Safe Space

This strategy should be applied to the entire workplace. A safe space is one in which employees do not worry that their opinions and insights will be rejected outright or that they will be disparaged for sharing them. Leadership should begin the process of creating this space by making it crystal clear, in writing and verbally, that every single person’s contributions are valued.

Adding this statement to the employee handbook, especially at the beginning, is highly encouraged. Better yet, incorporate this statement into the company’s core values. Getting it in writing in highly visible places will help ensure that your employees read it.

Encourage the Expansion of Existing Beliefs and Values

In addition to adopting an open mind on a personal level, leadership should encourage employees to be more receptive to the ideas of their coworkers. In doing so, you will create a trickle-down effect wherein the respect facilitated by leadership trickles down to your team.

Hosting a corporate meeting or retreat where the notion of an open-minded workplace culture is explored is another effective strategy. You can hold training sessions during the event and you can even have employees act out hypothetical situations that portray an open-minded approach versus a close-minded one. By acting out these scenarios, attendees get tangible examples that they can emulate in real life.

Offer Safe Channels of Communication

Whether it is an anonymous system for feedback directed at leadership or an open forum in which repercussions are forbidden, employees should have access to communication channels that feel safe to them. Otherwise, you risk people who are timid or who are scared of retribution and thus, staying silent and slipping through the cracks. Safe communication channels give them the opportunity to speak up without fear of what may happen if they do.

OPEN-MINDED MEANS OPEN TO SUCCESS

Developing a workplace culture that is supportive and receptive to the contributions of all employees is not something that happens overnight. It will take time and effort, and there will be missteps along the way. This is a normal part of the process.

The good news is, that by investing the time and effort required, you will set the stage for improved employee engagement – and the long-term company success that goes along with it.   

If you want to ensure your next business event makes a positive impact on your workplace culture, contact Gavel International! We have years of experience organizing corporate meetings and can help you plan a meeting that will teach employees about an open-minded culture. 

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SOURCE(S):

1 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00426-023-01832-w

Jim Bozzelli
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