Remember the saying “curiosity killed the cat”? I heard it quite a bit as a kid as a warning not to ask too many questions about something. Seems a little outdated these days. In fact, curiosity isn’t something to avoid, with kids OR in the workplace/ We need to actively encourage it. Especially if we want to stay innovative and agile.
Curiosity is the willingness to ask questions you don’t know the answer to. It’s being open to other perspectives, admitting you don’t have it all figured out, and staying interested in learning. And right now, in a world that’s ever shifting, curiosity might just be your most underrated leadership quality.
Brené Brown says it well; “Curiosity is an act of vulnerability and courage. It’s choosing to ask rather than assume.” Curiosity is an excellent quality to build into your culture. It is the foundation of sparking innovation and creativity, learning new things and drives engagement.
Curiosity builds trust
When leaders show curiosity, especially in conversations with their team, it allows people to realise that not only are their opinion welcome, they matter.
This doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as swapping “Here’s what I think we should do” with “What’s your take on this?” or “Help me understand how this impacts your team.” These small shifts show that you’re genuinely interested. When someone feels seen and heard, trust grows. And when there’s trust, there’s openness, accountability and a lot more good energy in the room.
Curiosity is good for business
No matter how good a leader you are, you simply don’t have all the answers. Markets move, customer expectations change, and AI is rewriting how we work (whether we like it or not). Leaders who assume they know it all risk becoming rigid. But curious leaders are adaptable. They are more willing to listen to what’s happening, encourage innovative discussions, experiment with new ideas and evolve.
Curiosity unlocks solutions and ideas that leadership alone could not do. By encouraging a culture of curiosity, where people ask each other their opinions and thoughts, leads to better collaboration, which in turn creates the building blocks for creativity and innovation.
Curiosity makes you a better listener
Being curious naturally makes you more open minded and open to seek the ideas and thoughts of other people. We become better listeners when we become open to be being more curious in our approach to work.
When you are listening to understand, rather than waiting your turn to give your opinion, you are letting go of the need to jump in, fix or defend.
The key to curiosity is being vulnerable
Being curious requires you to relinquish the idea that you know everything (or most things). The curious leader is naturally going to look like he/ she doesn’t have all the answers. Asking others for their ideas and opinions sends out the signal that others’ voices matter more. For some people, this doesn’t always feel safe. Asking questions can make you feel exposed or trigger self-doubt. Being curious requires you to embrace this vulnerability and realise it’s part of your own growth, even if it feels uncomfortable. As Brene Browne says in Daring Greatly; “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome”. More importantly than us feeling vulnerable is that it helps us build better rapport with the people we work with. You don’t have to let your vulnerability in being curious be seen as a weakness but instead as a way to open greater connection and collaboration between you and your colleagues in a way that build trust and engagement.
How to bring curiosity into your everyday leadership
If this sounds like something you want more of in your day-to-day, here are a few ways to start:
- In one-on-ones: Ask more open questions like “What’s something I don’t know that I should?” or “What’s making your job harder than it needs to be?”
- In team meetings: Invite input before giving your own opinion. Try going last.
- In tough conversations: Instead of going into defence mode, ask “Help me understand how you see it” or “Can you walk me through your thinking?”
- In decision making: Try saying “I’m not sure. What do you think?” even if you have a gut instinct. See what surfaces.
Curiosity is not often a leadership quality that springs to mind when you think of the qualities that make a great leader. But it is one of the most important ones in today’s world. Are you curious enough? How could you become a more curious leader? Could your team do with one of my tailored workshops?
Get in touch today. I’d love to help.
Rod Matthews