BE OPEN

Be Open, a simple request that has such a profound result when followed wholeheartedly. This is the philosophy Dominick primarily uses in guiding the executives he coaches to be more successful leaders. Our senses scoop up tons of data each day that we consciously ignore, discount or do not even recognize. If we paid just a little more attention to this nuanced information by being open to it, we can benefit greatly.

Open Your Eyes to what is happening around you. See who is speaking with whom most often. See who may be most quite in meetings. See how individuals react to certain ideas, to certain people, to certain problems. What do you make of this information and how may it help you influence these people when working with them?

Open Your Ears to what people are saying and what they are not saying. Hear the statement behind the questions that colleagues asks constantly. Hear the tone when another colleague makes a request. Hear the sigh when you make a recommendation to a colleague. What do you make of this information and how may it help you influence these people when working with them?

Open Your Mind to new points of view and opportunities. Have you asked trusted colleagues to vet an idea before presenting to clients or the board? Have you done a thorough risk analysis/mitigation prior to implementation? Do you read outside your discipline to stimulate your thinking? How do you assure your creativity is constantly fed and your innovation is fostered?

Open Your Heart to get a sense of the people immediately around you and beyond. Who may be struggling and, figuratively, could use a hand? Who appears to be soaring with little recognition? Which teams could use a boost to high performance? What are you ‘just sensing’ where you might intervene for all the right reasons?

Open Yourself To Feedback, in fact, ask for it. “How am I doing?” is a question few people ask for any number of reasons, but when they do they can receive surprisingly valuable information. The catch is to be genuine in your interest and react appreciatively not matter the content. Also, you must ask it consistently and from a range of people, not just those you know will be positive whether honestly or not. How can you reconcile the feedback you get with your own opinion of the situation and adjust appropriately?

Combine what you hear and see and discern what new information you have gleaned to enhance your working relationships. Trust your instincts and add in your gut sense of what to do differently and you are beginning to change your behavior positively based on your newly discovered personal big data treasure trove that has been just below consciousness all along.