Merriam-Webster defines curiosity as “a desire to know; interest leading to inquiry.” Curiosity has led to many amazing discoveries and genius inventions. What if no one ever wondered what an egg tasted like? No quiche, no Waffle House Hashbrown Bowl, no cake! What a travesty that would be.
Curiosity is a vehicle for transformation used in coaching. You can practice curiosity, with or without a coach – at work and in your personal life. Here are some ways to practice curiosity in your own life:
- Ask questions. It is okay not to know. Good questions are open-ended and do not expect a specific answer. The biggest stumbling block is not knowing what you don’t know.
- Listen twice as much as you talk. The old adage that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason holds true.
- Read and listen to sources you know you do not necessarily agree with. While you may not agree, you will almost definitely learn something. Curiosity brings deeper knowledge. New information can be compared to current information, and that allows for more sound decision-making.
- Practice “both/and” thinking; in other words, understand that two things that may seem opposed can be true at the same time. You can be equally excited and terrified. You can disagree with someone and learn from them at the same time. Accepting this will open new doors.
- Say “yes” to something new. Be brave. Whether or not you succeed or even enjoy the new experience, you are certain to discover something about yourself or the world.
- When trying to solve a problem and you find a potential solution, ask the question, “And what else?” Find another solution, and then ask it again. Two things can result: 1.) You may find out the problem you were tackling is not the problem at all, and/or 2.) you may just find that the third, fourth, or fifth idea is better than the most obvious.
So, what would happen if you stayed curious? You might just discover something that changes the world for the better, even if it is just your own world. Here’s to wondering!
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Lauri SoJourner is a leadership coach and nonprofit consultant who uses curiosity as a key strategy in her coaching process. She is available for one on one and team coaching, leadership development, team building, board training, and strategic planning. Email for your free consultation.