Creating a Culture of Curiosity

Curiosity isn’t a word that normally pops into our minds when we talk about leadership. We usually tend to focus on influence, integrity, or competency. But I believe curiosity is a highly underrated skill. And just like any other skill, it takes practice to master.

At its core, curiosity is the desire to learn or know about something. I think sometimes we confuse listening with curiosity. While being a good listener is a part of curiosity, it doesn’t stop with just asking questions. When you’re asking questions, you’re trying to get the other person to prove they know something. But if you’re curious, you’re trying to learn something. It leads with the goal of learning more.

When a leader develops the skill of curiosity, it sends a message to their team that says, “While I have a point of view, I realize mine isn’t the only one. I would like to hear yours, because I’m teachable and I value what you think.” When leaders exhibit curiosity, they encourage others to have a point of view and share it.

1. DEVELOP SELF-AWARENESS

Curious leaders are self-aware and know their strengths and weaknesses. And they realize that while they know many things, they don’t know everything. Curiosity opens the door to say, “I want to learn, and I want to grow.” It’s a posture of humility. Leaders who are self-aware are also able to embrace their blind spots, which allows them to grow further as they seek answers and new perspectives. It’s this type of openness that strengthens their leadership, as it sets the tone for others to follow suit.

2. CREATE A LEARNING CULTURE

Leaders with a curious mindset view every experience—good, bad, or neutral—as a learning experience. What happened on the project that you didn’t expect? What went right, but also what went wrong? How could that conflict with a team member have been handled differently? Don’t be afraid to set the tone with your team of looking at things from all angles—not with a goal of pointing fingers, but a goal of being curious about what there is to learn for moving forward. Encourage your team to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and see mistakes as opportunities for learning, not failure.

3. NOTICE WHAT (AND WHO) GOES AGAINST THE STATUS QUO

Often, we bump up against people at work that tackle life differently. They go about their personal growth plans or professional tasks in a completely different direction or format than you do. Maybe they have a perspective or background that helps them see life differently; maybe being curious about their why and how will give you fresh perspective in the things that you face. By embracing diverse thinking and perspectives, you become more adaptable and innovative as a leader. Curiosity can expand your horizons and give you a better understanding of challenges, allowing you to address them with fresh insight.

4. PRACTICE ACTIVE LISTENING

While curiosity involves asking questions, it also means truly listening to what others have to say. As a leader, when you actively listen, you validate your team’s thoughts and ideas, which builds trust. Make sure you’re not only waiting for your turn to speak, but also absorbing and reflecting on what others share. This shows respect for their perspective and promotes an open dialogue where everyone feels valued.

5. EMBRACE CHANGE AS A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

Curious leaders see change as a chance to grow and learn rather than a disruption. Change can be intimidating, but it’s also an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and uncover new ways of doing things. As a leader, cultivating a mindset of curiosity during times of change sets a positive example for your team and can help them adapt more easily.

Looking for more corporate leadership insights to influence your leadership strategy?

Every week, Maxwell Leadership’s staff of industry-leading growth and development professionals releases free leadership resources for the benefit of you and your team. Our Executive Leadership podcast offers expert insights on today’s most pressing corporate leadership topics, while our Maxwell Leadership podcast highlights transformational influence.