Cultivating Curiosity: A Leaders Key To Sustainable Team Growth

This year I have committed to being a more curious gardener: to be willing to grow some things I haven’t grown before and see what happens.  I decided to try and grow one of my favorite fruits, Papaya!  I’ve heard that if I do certain things, give it the right soil conditions, and protect it from the cold winter temperatures, that even the tropical Papaya plant can grow here in North Carolina.  So why not give it a try? 

In the same way, curiosity is an important trait for leaders to have. Your curiosity doesn't just benefit you, it sets the stage for a more creative, empathetic, and resilient team. 

3 examples of how curiosity helps you as a leader include:

1. Unlocks Creative Solutions

Remember that time you tried to fix the office coffee machine using nothing but a paper clip and an old rubber band? Exactly. Curiosity encourages us to look at problems from angles so unique, they would make Picasso tilt his head in confusion. When you're leading a team, thinking outside the box isn't just an asset, it's a necessity. You're essentially saying, "Hey, it's cool to ask 'what if' or 'why not' around here." This not only leads to innovative solutions but also makes the journey more interesting.

2. Builds Empathy and Understanding

Let's face it, managing a team is less about herding cats and more about understanding each cat's preferred brand of catnip. Being genuinely curious about your team members—what motivates them, what challenges them, what makes them tick—is like unlocking character profiles in your favorite video game. The more you know, the better you can tailor your leadership style to fit their needs. Plus, showing that you care enough to ask deep, meaningful questions and truly listen to the answers, goes a long way in building trust and respect.

3. Fosters a Growth Mindset

Here's a shoutout to Carol Dweck and her game-changing concept of the "growth mindset."

In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking, oh, I'm going to reveal my weaknesses, you say, wow, here's a chance to grow. - Carol Dweck

Curiosity is the bread and butter of this mindset. It's about embracing challenges, persisting in the face of setbacks, and learning from criticism. As a leader, if you're curious, you're constantly learning, adapting, and growing. And that attitude is contagious. Before you know it, your team is not just meeting expectations; they're exceeding them, breaking new ground, and doing the Carlton dance of victory!

Your question then shifts to,  “How do I increase my curiosity as a leader?”  Here are 3 suggestions:

Ask Why More Often

Remember that annoying phase toddlers go through when everything you say is met with a "But why?" Well, it's time to channel your inner three-year-old (sans the temper tantrums, hopefully). The next time someone presents an idea or a process, poke it with the why stick. Not in a confrontational way, but with genuine intrigue. It's about understanding the core of every decision, action, and thought. Plus, it's a fantastic way to make everyone around you really think about the 'why' behind their actions, which can lead to some pretty illuminating conversations.

Listen More Intently

Don’t start lurking around corners. But do start listening more intently to the conversations around you. Whether it's a discussion among team members about a project or a casual chat about weekend plans, there's so much you can learn just by tuning in. You'll pick up on what excites your team, what worries them, and maybe even stumble upon an idea or two that sparks your own curiosity.

“Listen for that space between words that usually signals there’s something deeper.”

Look For What’s Limiting

Leadership often feels like you need to have all the answers, a clear path charted out for your team to follow. But what if, occasionally, you threw out the map and ventured off the beaten path? Encourage brainstorming sessions where no idea is too wild, take on a project outside your comfort zone, or simply approach a problem from a completely different angle. It's in these moments of uncertainty and exploration that curiosity thrives. And who knows? You might just discover a new route to innovation that you never would've found otherwise.

The Key

The key thing to remember is that being a curious as a leader doesn’t just benefit you.  It creates a team that’s more resilient, more empathetic and more creative:  that’s a pretty important thing to grow.