A key to business success is open communication. For many businesses, that open communication is nurtured through an open door policy.
There are many advantages to adopting an open door policy like having the ability to go straight to the decision maker to resolve concerns. The open door policy also improves trust.
Just as helpful as this policy can be in quickly resolving issues, your innate wiring can affect the execution of this policy causing your open door policy to fail. Specifically, let’s focus on the Patience element of human wiring.
As my clients discover, your wiring is biological. It’s something you’re born with, it’s with you each and every day, and it stays with you your entire lifetime. You have a mix of four main elements. One of those elements is Patience. You can have a range of this element. Under stress, your wiring can get amplified, too.
Wiring: Low Patience Element
If your wiring is low on the Patience spectrum, you accept distractions and interruptions. You even embrace them because it gives you the variety in your work environment you innately like, want or need to stay engaged.
You tackle problems as they arrive through the door (or your inbox). So the last (issue, email, etc.) received is the first out. Even if the day starts off quiet but progresses to hectic, you triage all of it.
In triaging things, however, tasks don’t always get the level of attention they need or require. As a person lower on the Patience spectrum, you may try to send a quick email or answer a call while the team member is in your office telling you about their concern. From the team member’s perspective, they don’t have your full attention.
Wiring: High Patience Element
Conversely, if you are higher on the Patience spectrum, the first item that comes in is the first to go out. You are most productive when you have an opportunity to complete your task at hand before moving on to the next item.
You will spend as much time as it takes to focus on both the problem and the person. The experience for your team member can be warm and inviting.
However, one issue that could occur is that some important or urgent tasks do not get accomplished. When in open door meetings, be intentional about the time by setting an appointment so that you can manage their concerns while being accountable to your other commitments.
Whether you are wired lower in Patience or higher in Patience, keep these two tips in mind when executing your open door policy:
1. Be aware of your own wiring. To be a more effective leader, notice when to manage your wiring especially when speaking to someone who is wired differently than you.
2. Be in their world. Notice what’s important to them and deliver information tailored to their wiring.
To learn more about human wiring or to schedule a demonstration for your business, visit: http://www.excellerateassociates.com/hardwiring
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