Curiosity killed the cat – an age-old proverb that hints at the dangers of knowledge and investigation. You’ve probably heard it a few times, maybe from parents who don’t want their kids poking around where they shouldn’t be.

Although, these days, the old saying seems outdated. Luckily, there’s a more modern version – Curiosity killed the cat, andsatisfaction brought it back. Because while curiosity can lead to putting yourself in risky situations, there is plenty to be gained from it, especially for those in leadership roles.

Here are three ways curiosity makes you a better leader.

Curiosity Makes You More Open-Minded

More and more businesses are beginning to see the value of a diverse and inclusive workplace. However, to fully leverage its power, leaders need to meet their employees with an open mind. They need to accept new ideas, suggestions, and even constructive criticisms. This way, the company is positioned towards improvement. Now, how does curiosity help in this regard?

In an interview with Forbes, Alison Horstmeyer talks about the nature of curiosity. At the time, she was a research fellow from the University of Southern California, finishing her Ph.D. on the role of curiosity in the business setting. During the interview, she describes curiosity as the exploration of new and unfamiliar events. Though the phenomenon is often accompanied by stress, it allows people to gain new perspectives and experiences. And the more you experience, the more you’ll start seeing the world through a different lens. This then paves the way for more open-minded thinking, as you start to realize there are countless other ways to see the world, outside of your own.

Curiosity Helps You Connect with Others

A good leader is also a good communicator. Having communication skills ensures that you get your points across clearly and concisely, with little room for misunderstanding. On the flip side, these skills also entail the ability to listen. And as it turns out, the latter half is what many leaders struggle with.

Michael Bungay Stanier, an Oxford scholar and award-winning coach, talks about the Advice Trap. In a feature on Human Capital Online, he details how many people instinctively offer advice when conversing with others. This can actually be a sign of poor leadership, because even though you give stellar advice, it might not be what your conversation partner needs. Stanier, instead, recommends that leaders remain curious for a little longer. So, instead of providing a solution, you’re empowering your employee to use their initiative to fix the issue. Ask them questions like “What’s on your mind?” or “What’s the real challenge for you?” This spurs your conversation partner to think, and can potentially lead them to their own solution. A leadership style like this is ideal, as it encourages growth among the workforce and even helps you build stronger connections with them.

Curiosity Aids in Self-discovery

Finally, leaders need to know themselves and be confident in their ability to guide their organization. This level of self-awareness is difficult to attain. It requires plenty of introspection, so that you can pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses. Fortunately, curiosity towards oneself and one’s capabilities is an excellent way to encourage this activity.

Knowing yourself inside and out is the best way to stave off self-doubt and Impostor Syndrome. In an interview with Thrive Global, Dr. Leilani Carver-Madalon explains that Impostor Syndrome is extremely limiting. It makes you feel like a fraud, either intellectually or professionally. And that lack of belief in yourself prevents you from enjoying your success or aiming for what you deserve. Dr. Carver-Madalon is the Program Director of Maryville University’s online bachelor’s in communications degree, where she encourages her students to explore themselves to the fullest. Though, admittedly, Impostor Syndrome can get in the way of this. As a potential fix, she recommends letting go of mistakes. And this is where a healthy dose of curiosity comes in handy. Being curious about what you’re capable of encourages you to look into the different parts of yourself, including past mistakes. Curiosity about mistakes can also uncover hidden gems or lessons we can take from them that we otherwise may have overlooked. Thus, improves your self-awareness through curiosity makes it easier for you to send those past mistakes on their way. After all, if those mistakes won’t matter by next year, it’s best to let them go. Essentially, curiosity can combat Mark Manson’s infamous Law of Avoidance – that the more something threatens your view of yourself, the more likely you are to avoid it. Curiosity is the nudge you need to take that long, hard look in the mirror.

Curiosity doesn’t always kill the cat. Open-mindedness, communicativeness, and self-awareness are all integral traits that make a good leader. And each one stems from a healthy level of curiosity. So, it just goes to show that curiosity is an essential component of effective leadership.

Article written by Alice Bailey
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