It is important to be open-minded if we want to grow!

As some of you will recall, last week's Tip had to do with manipulation and influence.  My point was that the meaning of the word manipulation does not necessarily have to be bad; it could also have a positive meaning.  While I still believe I was not entirely wrong, one of my readers helped me have a clearer understanding of that word.

One individual sent me the definition of manipulation from the Merriman-Webster Dictionary.  It is defined as:  1:  to treat or operate with or as if with the hands or by mechanical means especially in a skillful manner  2a:  to manage or utilize skillfully  b:  to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one's own advantage  3:  to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one's purpose.

One of the most important things that I learned in graduate school is that a truly well educated person is always open-minded to learn and receive good, true information. (And, I certainly want to be a well educated person!)

If someone wants to know the real truth about any situation, they should be open- minded enough to look into it from every angle.  A closed mind will make learning anything new more difficult.  Now, I realize that there are some things we should be closed-minded about.  For example, it is never right to steal someone else's possessions nor is it right to take someone's life.  But, those are extreme examples.  In almost every other area of life, we should be open-minded to learn a new point of view so that we can become wiser, more productive individuals.

I have personally been trying to grow in the understanding of how different businesses operate.  There have been many books written to explain how some businesses have started and grown while others have started and failed.  Therefore, I want to know as much as possible about that.  While my business continues to grow and experience success, there are daily challenges.  The more open-minded I am about the different points of view concerning business issues, the healthier my business will be and the wiser I will become.  I am always open to receive helpful advice from anyone as it relates to business success.

So, in trying to be open-minded to my reader's point of view about last week's Tip and having had some time to reflect on it, I would like to clarify my position. I believe that it is always better to be a positive influence on someone rather than to negatively manipulate them.  Manipulation can occasionally be used in a good sense but it more often has negative connotations.  And, while it is true that a person can be a bad influence on someone else, the word influence is often a more positive word. 

After reading the Tip from last week and then this one, I hope you are a better educated person when it comes to the issue of manipulation and influence.  If we have all grown in our understanding of these issues and our ability to be open-minded, we are better and wiser for the experience!

This information is provided in congruence with Personality Insights USA.