Open or Closed-Minded?

The Difference Between Open-Minded and Closed-Minded People

• Open-minded people approach life with a willingness to learn and be wrong, while closed-minded people tend to ignore or gloss over anomalies.
• Anomalies are like a glitch in the matrix, and how you respond to them is a good indicator of your open-mindedness.
• Closed-minded people don't want their ideas challenged and put their ego ahead of the outcome, while open-minded people are more curious about why there is disagreement.
• Closed-minded people are more likely to make statements than ask questions, while open-minded people genuinely believe they could be wrong and ask questions to expand their knowledge.
• Closed-minded people focus more on being understood than on understanding others, while open-minded people feel compelled to see things through others' eyes.
• Closed-minded people often use phrases like "I could be wrong...but here's my opinion" as a perfunctory gesture, while open-minded people know when to make statements and when to ask questions.
• Closed-minded people tend to block others from speaking and don't want to hear anyone's voice but their own, while open-minded people are always more interested in listening than in speaking.
• Ray Dalio, self-made billionaire and founder of the largest hedge fund in the world, lays out seven other ways to tell the difference between open-minded and closed-minded people in his book Principles.
• Open-minded people find learning in everything and see disagreement as a thoughtful means to expand their knowledge.
• Closed-minded people put their ideas and beliefs ahead of the truth, while open-minded people are willing to change their minds when someone else knows something they don't.
• Closed-minded people tend to become frustrated when questioned and perceive those who seek clarification as hindrances to progress, while open-minded people identify where the disagreement lies so they can correct their misperceptions.
• An open-minded approach to life can lead to constant progress in both professional and personal lives, while a closed-minded approach can lead to repeating the same mistakes.

Discover if you have an open or closed-minded approach to life with this insightful quiz. Through a series of thought-provoking questions, you'll gain a better understanding of how you respond to new ideas, disagreement, and anomalies. Are you more likely to make statements than ask questions? Do you feel compelled to see things through others' eyes? Your answers will reveal whether you have an open or closed-minded approach to life and the impact it can have on your personal and professional development. Take the quiz