Curiosity Killed The Cat Or Did It? ‒ 8 Ways Cultivated Curiosity Can Elevate Your Leadership
- May 3, 2022
- 5 min read
Written by: Alexis Lenihan, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
We all know the saying ‘Curiosity killed the cat” but what many of us don’t know is that isn’t the whole story.
The original saying is “Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back”.
As a society, we like to warn against the dangers of asking questions, investigating, or “being too nosy” but I actually see curiosity as a superpower. One that can resurrect or bring something back to life that was once doomed for disaster. Like a cat with 9 lives, curiosity may, at times, lead to undesirable consequences or knowledge but the sheer fact of knowing the truth brings new life and opportunities for growth — if we choose to see it.
A great leader prioritizes their growth and looks for ways to expand themselves. Growth is driven by wanting to learn more. When we adopt curiosity as a mindset and we use that as a lens to look through, we see a whole different world in front of us.
Let me explain.
Imagine this — one of your colleagues or teammates doesn’t bother to reply to your email. As the days go on, you get increasingly frustrated, annoyed, and eventually angry. Obviously, they don’t care, value you or your time, or prioritize your relationship. They did the same thing last week so you know what? The next time they need something from you? Forget it! Not going to happen. You stew about this for days….
Eventually, they get back to you with apologies and explain that they’ve had an unexpected death in the family and they are just now catching up on email. Of course, there was a reason. You knew they respected you and your relationship. It wasn’t like them to not respond like that.
Now, what if you were curious from the beginning. You send the email, no response. You’re curious — I wonder if everything is ok with them….they didn’t respond last week either which is unusual. Maybe I should reach out to see if I can support them in any way.
You send a quick text message checking in and then go about your day — no frustration, no annoyance, no anger. Same situation, completely different experience.
There are many things we don’t know — curiosity is a state in which you want to learn more about something. A curious person has a thirst for knowledge — a curiosity about life, people, ideas, experiences, events and they live in a constant state of wanting to learn more. They continually ask why? Not only does this help improve relationships but it adds sparkle and shine to our creativity, enabling us to imagine the unimaginable. This serves us in every aspect of life and business. It’s the foundation of making the impossible possible.
Here are 8 ways to cultivate a strong sense of curiosity today:
1. Understand that curiosity is a skill
Thinking of curiosity as something that can be learned instead of an innate quality is the first step. We cannot become what we believe we are not. So believe that you can be curious. It is simply a habit that needs to be created.
2. Make ‘Why’ your favourite word
It’s important to keep a beginner's mindset. Ask questions often. Approach situations with an open mind and a willingness to discover something new. Remember, anyone who thinks they have all the answers are not asking the right questions.
3. Spend time with other curious people
Examine your circle — do you interact with curious people often? They can serve as stimulants to you. Their curiosity will drive yours. This is one of the easiest ways to begin developing this skill — by experiencing it in action. Who are those friends, colleagues, LinkedIn connections that always ask really thought-provoking questions? Who do you love chatting with because you always walk away from the conversation with a new perspective? Schedule more interaction time with those people or make them your go-to when you want to expand your thinking in a particular way.
4. Stop looking for the right answer
Single solution people are not giving themselves the opportunity to learn and grow. Why? Because there is always more than one solution to a problem. To subscribe to the “one right answer” club is to stop the search for more and better ones. When you are problem-solving and come up with a solution, force yourself to come up with two more. You may still go with the first one but through the process of identifying others, you may refine your original solution or come up with a better one altogether!
5. Get over yourself
Don’t be afraid of looking foolish. Put ego aside and ask the question. When we do, we open up the space for others to do the same and real conversations happen with limitless possibilities.
6. Be comfortable with failure
When we see failure as a sign of progress, we naturally increase motivation and creativity. Anything that is anything was born out of failure.
The first attempts at flight — disasters.
WD-40 got its name because it was the 40th attempt at the formula — the 40th.
5,271 — the number of prototypes James Dyson tested before he finally found a vacuum that worked.
Each failure is a step in the direction of success. We build our stamina and resiliency in the process which continues to serve us in so many different areas of life.
7. Make it a goal to learn something new every day
This is my second favourite question I ask myself every single morning. When you set the intention for a goal, you are more likely to achieve it. Begin each day with the intention and determination to learn something new, experience something different, meet someone you don’t already know, or learning something new about someone you do!
8. Enjoy your life
Pursue what lights you up. When curiosity strikes, do NOT ignore it! Make the time to do things you enjoy and try new things often. Rich experiences add to our overall ability to connect more deeply with more people. It adds excitement, fulfillment, humility, creativity, compassion, and an edge that is only possible through the growth that experience gives us.
“The race will go to the curious, the slightly mad, and those with an unsatiated passion for learning and daredeviltry.” Tom Peters, In Search of Excellence
When we bring curiosity into our life and business, magic happens. Relationships deepen, resiliency builds, satisfaction increases, and innovation skyrockets. We must make curiosity a lifestyle choice — a lens with which we view the world. I challenge you to demonstrate curiosity today and see for yourself what transpires as a result of it.
Aren’t you just a little bit curious?
Alexis Lenihan, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
As a Certified High-Performance Coach, Alexis and her team transform their clients from playing small to showing up and playing BIG in every major life arena. They are dedicated to helping people achieve heightened and sustained levels of performance while maintaining optimum health, well-being, and connection.
Trained and certified by the High-Performance Institute, Alexis is a leading authority on the habits and practices of High Performers and shares her ideas on major and minor media to inspire others to take action in their own lives.
She is the COO of Goal Set Coach, a Business Professor, and a busy mom of two young boys! She knows firsthand how life can feel like a juggling act and is committed to helping you find a beautiful balance so that the life you live is by design, not by the reaction.
