Where would we be without curiosity?
Curiosity is:
- Enthusiastic “not knowing”.
- Willingness to be wrong.
- Drive to make sense of things.
- Delight in surprises.
- Dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Curiosity and success:
When asked to name a trait that would most help CEO’s succeed, Michael Dell responded, “I would place my bet on curiosity.” Warren Berger
4 benefits of curiosity*:
- Achievement.
- Happiness.
- Empathy.
- Stronger relationships.
4 dimensions of curiosity:
The four dimensions of curiosity are what, how, why, and who.
#1. What:
What needs to be done?
Getting stuff done is the obvious question of leadership. But curiosity goes beyond asking what we need to do.
#2. How:
How do we get stuff done?
Successful leaders explore more than what and how.
#3. Why:
In a rush to do stuff, we forget to ask why it should be done in the first place. I wonder if you’re doing stuff that you don’t really know why you’re doing it.
#4. Who:
Be curious about people because leadership is about people and relationships.
Get the “who question” right and all the other questions are less complicated.
5 remarkable practices of curiosity:
#1. Complete the following sentence for every direct report. (Mary) seems most energized when (she is helping new employees).
#2. Apply the lens of energy to opportunity and challenge. “(Bob), I know you’re excited to develop your management skills. How might this new challenge move you toward your goal?”
#3. Listen to stories.
Every leader needs to know the formative stories of everyone on the team.
#4. Monitor your ratio of statements to questions.
#5. Ask two questions before making one statement.
A curious leader is prepared for nearly any situation.
Researchers call curiosity need for cognition (NFC). If you’re curious, here’s a tool that measures your NFC scale.
What curiosity practice might you add to the list?
When is curiosity not appropriate?