Leadership | Curiosity

Curiosity is essential to growth, innovation, and connection. When we approach the world with curiosity, we open ourselves to learning, empathy, and new possibilities. Curiosity keeps us from stagnation—it challenges assumptions, deepens understanding, and drives meaningful engagement with our teams and our work.

When we are curious, we model a mindset of exploration and openness allowing our team to feel comfortable experimenting, taking risks, and sharing ideas. Curiosity enhances decision-making, improves collaboration, and reduces group conflict.

We become more curious by staying open to feedback, reading widely, seeking diverse perspectives, and asking thoughtful questions. When we actively challenge our own biases and resist the lure of certainty, we build a habit of learning that benefits everyone we lead.

Ways we become better leaders buy cultivating curiosity:

• Ask more questions than we answer – foster dialogue rather than dictate outcomes.

• Reward curiosity – recognize team members who challenge the status quo or explore new angles.

• Make learning visible – share what we’re reading, wondering, or trying to figure out.

• Create space for inquiry – set aside time in meetings for open-ended exploration.

• Seek out different voices – engage with people who think differently from us.

Join us in the comment section below.

• When was the last time curiosity changed your mind as a leader?

• How does your team respond to questions that don’t have easy answers?

• What are you most curious about right now in your work?