Leading Curiously
I consider myself a pioneer in the era of the curious leader, where success may be less about having all the answers and more about wondering and questioning. A curious, inquisitive leader can set an example that inspires creative thinking throughout the entire organization. Leading-by-curiosity can help generate more ideas from all areas of an organization, while also helping to raise employee engagement levels. One of my heroes is Curious George – that little monkey who is not afraid to explore new and exciting things. I strive to be like Curious George. In fact I have have blogged about this in Living and Leading Like Curious George.
Walt Disney, another one of my heroes, said his company was great at innovating 
“because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” But having that desire to keep exploring “new paths” becomes even more important in today’s fast-changing, innovation-driven marketplace. In The Disciplined Leader, John Manning (2015) reminded us in Lesson #44 to, “Be curious about how things can be done better or differently. Identify one organizational norm that could be improved. Remember: just because you have always done something ‘that way’ does not mean it is ‘the way’ today” (Kindle Locations 2320-2321). I believe curiosity leads to valuable insights and understanding. Curious leaders would rather pose the right questions that give them a deeper understanding than compete to deliver answers in hopes of acknowledgment. Curiosity allows leaders to adopt an exploratory mindset in everything he/she does.
Curiosity is all about asking questions and wondering why things are a certain way. Great leaders search for new paths – new products, new and innovative solutions, new talent, new efficient ways of building, creating, and getting things done. Being curious is an important part of a leader’s role in serving those he/she leads. Are you embracing your role as a leader and being curious like Curious George?
Reference
Manning (2015). The disciplined leader: keeping the focus on what really matters. Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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