How to Lead with Curiosity in Turbulent Times
If you want to thrive in turbulent times, make belonging your leadership superpower.
Three ways to do that at work:
๐. ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
๐. ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ
๐. ๐๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ง๐ง๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐
๐. ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
I had the opportunity to interview my friend Scott Shigeoka for the launch of his book, SEEK: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World, and I believe his work could not be more essential in today's disconnected and polarized workplace. Scott has been called "The Brenรฉ Brown of Curiosity," and for good reason.
Scott contrasts shallow vs. deep curiosity, saying, "Deep curiosity isnโt a superpower for you to use to change others; itโs a path to help you grow into a new version of yourself."
Scott shares his DIVE Model for expanding curiosity:
โ Detachโฏโ Let go of your ABCs (Assumptions, Biases, Certainty)
โ Intendโฏโ Prepare your mindset and setting
โ Valueโฏโ See the dignity of every personโincluding yourself
โ Embraceโฏโ Welcome the hard times in your life
๐. ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ
Scott reminds us that bridging differences isn't about persuasion, or even about building consensus, it's about seeking to understanding someone else's perspective. Being a bridge builder starts with a recognition of common humanity, it requires humility, it's about inner work as much as it is about taking action, and it's often about making small, incremental shifts over time.
๐. ๐๐ซ๐ข๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ง๐ง๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ง ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐
Hurry up and slow down. According to Microsoft, 60% of employees lack the time or energy to due their job and 70% donโt have enough uninterrupted focus time to learn the AI skills that would make them better at their job in the first place. Putting people first means giving people time to connect, play, and learn together.
๐๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
One practical tip is to start having Curious Conversations in team meetings, whether you are in-person, hybrid, or remote. Whenever a new project or initiative is being discussed, create space for your employees to share what's coming up for them, inviting their concerns, doubts, and fears. Instead of shutting down someone's concerns, say "Tell more more" to better understand their perspective.
๐๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
-SEEK by Scott Shigeoka
-BRIDGING DIFFERENCES PLAYBOOK by Scott Shigeoka, Jason Marsh, and The Greater Good Science Center at University of California, Berkeley
-THE WORKPLACE BELONGING TOOLKIT by Smiley Poswolsky
Thank you for spreading human connection at work and beyond!
-Smiley :)
This post was originally published on my Substack Newsletter on November 12, 2024.
