Curiosity-Driven Leadership

Many years ago, my dad gave me a piece of advice: whatever it is, if there’s something around to read, pick it up and read. It doesn’t matter if it has anything to do with something you have an interest in, just read it. Maybe this had something to do with him being a public school teacher — something he would later retire from doing after 43 years — or maybe it is just his inherent curiosity and passion for learning, but there were several things I noticed and learned from watching him practice what he preached. The first is that he has at least a familiarity with a very broad and diverse amount of unrelated things. The second is that he is able to lean on what he has learned over the years to be able to strike up and hold a conversation with just about anyone, building relationships and continuing to learn.

If there's a single piece of advice I would give to anyone starting out on their leadership journey, it's this: become unabashedly curious. This single trait, if genuinely approached, will have a profound and emergent effect over the course of one's career on:

• The way they learn
• The way they build relationships
• The way they solve problems
• The way they lead

When most people think of curiosity, we naturally think of it as a tool for learning. And it makes sense why curiosity would be so core to having a growth mindset — the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. This mindset forces us to ask questions, seek new information, and explore unfamiliar territories. But more than that, curiosity creates a sense of humility. It forces us to acknowledge that no matter how much we learn, we never have all the answers. It is through this relentless pursuit of knowledge that we build the resilience that is essential for great accomplishments.

This growth mindset can be exploited in many ways, but cultivating a growth mindset requires curiosity. Curiosity, in turn, requires being both active and present — whether in the content you consume, the activities you engage in, or the people you surround yourself with.

Curiosity in relationship-building

People love to talk about things that they are passionate about, which also tend to be the things that they have spent time learning about. Not only is this an opportunity for you to build deeper relationships with them, but you may also learn something about a subject you are less familiar with. This is one example of how curiosity can be a powerful tool for building empathy and connecting with others. We have so much that we can learn from those around us. By genuinely caring and being interested in others' experiences, perspectives, and emotions, we are moved to ask thoughtful questions and listen actively, both of which are key components of empathetic leadership.

The ability to practice active listening is the most important tool you have for that sense of genuine curiosity and building the deepest, most meaningful relationships you can. A trap that many people fall into in conversation is that they begin to "listen to respond" instead of "listen to understand," which means that rather than focusing on the speaker's message, they are already trying to formulate their own reply. This habit can significantly hinder genuine curiosity and meaningful relationship-building, but there are some strategies to avoid this trap:

• Focus on the speaker: Give your full attention to the person speaking. Put away distractions like your phone or laptop, and maintain appropriate eye contact.
• Practice mindfulness: Stay present in the moment. If you catch your mind wandering or preparing a response, gently bring your focus back to the speaker's words.
• Use non-verbal cues: Nod, smile, or use other appropriate facial expressions to show you're engaged, without interrupting the speaker.
• Ask clarifying questions: Instead of assuming you understand, ask questions like "Can you elaborate on that?" or "What do you mean by...?" This shows you're actively trying to understand their perspective.
• Paraphrase and summarize: After the speaker finishes a point, try restating it in your own words. This confirms your understanding and shows you were listening attentively.
• Avoid interrupting: Let the speaker finish their thoughts before you respond. If you have a question, jot it down to ask later rather than interrupting the flow of conversation.
• Be open to changing your mind: Enter conversations with the willingness to learn and potentially shift your perspective based on new information.

Curiosity as a force multiplier

Over time, despite our desire to keep up with everything that is going on and our growing set of responsibilities, our individual capacity is finite. But the ability and willingness to be truly curious can be a valuable lever for scaling oneself.

Reid Hoffman said it best: "There are only three ways to scale yourself: delegation, amplification, and just plain making yourself better." Scaling yourself means increasing your impact and productivity by leveraging your time, skills, and resources more effectively. It often involves delegating, empowering others, and developing systems and processes that enable you to manage larger responsibilities.

Having built meaningful relationships with your team members (through curiosity, no less!), you'll be better equipped to understand their strengths and interests, giving you new and creative ways to delegate responsibilities and tasks. The result? Freeing up your time for the types of work you are uniquely qualified to do or stretch into.

Keep in mind that curiosity is the key to making this happen. You must continuously be curious about the processes and systems around you and look for opportunities to improve efficiency, whether it's at work or in life. Time is valuable, and the more that you can reclaim for higher-value work, the better.

And, of course, you must find time to stay inquisitive and nurture that growth mindset.

The bottom line

It's rare to find a single quality that so much can stem from, but simply being curious can lead to so many positive outcomes. By staying curious, you not only enhance your own growth but also inspire and elevate those around you, creating a culture of learning and excellence. As a leader, curiosity is not just a tool for acquiring knowledge; it’s a trait that can transform not only how you lead but how you learn, relate to others, and approach challenges. As you navigate your leadership journey, remember to stay curious. Ask questions, even when you think you know the answers. Listen actively, even when you're tempted to speak. Explore new ideas, even when they seem unconventional. 

In a world that's constantly changing, where the challenges of tomorrow may look nothing like the challenges of today, curiosity is our greatest asset. It's what allows us to adapt, to innovate, and to lead with empathy and insight.

So, I challenge you: How can you cultivate more curiosity in your daily life and leadership? What questions haven't you asked? What perspectives haven't you considered? What new areas of knowledge are you ready to explore?

True leadership is not about having all the answers. It's about having the curiosity to ask the right questions. Embrace your curiosity. In doing so, you'll not only become a more effective leader but also inspire those around you to embrace their own.

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