We all have our ideas about what it takes to be a great leader. For some, assertiveness is critical. For others, having a vision is non-negotiable. But there is one seed universal to everyone by which all virtues are born. It is also one you are using right now—curiosity! Before I forget, thank you for being curious enough to read on.
When you let curiosity guide you, you embrace humility, open-mindedness, compassion—the list goes on. The most admired leaders of our time—Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and Jane Goodall—were all infinitely curious.
One of my clients recently experienced a breakthrough with his boss by embracing this trait during interactions. He had been unwittingly exhibiting hostility and judgment from a contentious history. I challenged him to let curiosity guide his communication. The result? He actively listened and asked questions to understand her perspective. Their working relationship is the best it has been in years.
Here are ways you can embrace a curious nature to excel as a leader and step into the best, most fulfilled version of you.
Seek to understand.
Curious leaders build successful teams by fostering strong relationships with their team members and peers. How? They invite healthy discourse and ask questions to explore possibilities, not to confirm they are right. They ask clarifying questions like, “Can you elaborate on your idea?” versus “Why would you attack it from that angle?” The former intellectually challenges the subject and can prompt greater creativity. The latter only serves to shame the individual and limit their intellect. In fact, studies show one negative thought about oneself lowers IQ by 10 points in the moment. Your team will in turn see their misstep as an opportunity to explore a different way the next time.
Prioritize collaboration to prevent burnout.
Curious leaders promote collaboration, and studies show working together can boost morale and prevent burnout. One of my clients recently started regularly scheduling team “imagineer” meetings—from the Disney concept—entirely devoted to sharing new ideas, creative problem solving, and challenging the status quo. These sessions have prompted his team’s best ideas because he embraces empathy and seeks to understand and nurture each individual’s distinctive strengths.
Channel your inner child.
You know that three-year-old who won’t stop asking her mom, “Why?” Socrates would regard her far wiser than most adults, for that child is saying, “All I know is I know nothing.” Somewhere during our teens, we think we know everything and lose that childlike curiosity. So, let that toddler in you shine (without the public temper tantrums). You will invariably prompt intentional action, responsible passion, and presence in your work.
Investigate your bad habits.
Breaking bad habits comes down to more than mere discipline and a desire to change. For example, 80% of dieters gain the weight back because our brains are hardwired to repeat patterns from a resulting dopamine release—a chemical that leaves us feeling out of control.
Think about a behavior you’d like to change. Let’s say you are disorganized. Explore why. It almost always comes down to time management. Are you spending spare time on social media? Have you made spare time impossible? Once you’ve identified the triggers, investigate the thoughts and sensations that arise when you’re scrolling Twitter as if you’re doing it for the first time. This exercise removes the reward and instead allows you to examine the sensations and thoughts associated with the activity. Does it prompt anxiety? Guilt? When we dissect behaviors in this way, the unwanted behavior has far less power over us.
Curiosity is a superpower you can access anytime, anywhere. All it takes is the humble decision to ask, not tell. I have seen my clients’ leadership and their work relationships transform as a result. Are you ready to have greater impact and discover possibilities previously unknown? Ask yourself what you can do today to flex this curious muscle, and let the fun begin!
