But why?
Why this question may be your biggest leadership flex
Curiousity is SUCH an under rated leadership superpower. Here’s why. And here’s how to use it. But first…
Welcome back to Lead with Intention and apologies this week’s post is a day late! I had the pleasure of leading a workshop on authentic confidence and communication for an all female leadership team yesterday. It’s the type of work I love and am doing more of (so do get in touch if you think you and your teams could use something like this), BUT the only downside was the long drive home afterward. My mind and quite frankly, my 48 year old body, was fried when I got home, hence the newsletter arriving today!
Can you relate? Boundaries and balance are so important and I’ll write more about this soon in a work context if you’re interested? Reply or comment on this post and let me know.
Ok, let’s get curious about curiousity.
When you think about leadership skills, what typically springs to mind for you?
Strategic thinking. Decision making. Communication. Confidence. Influence.
All critical. And all very visible.
But curiousity? That’s the quiet one in the corner, along with its sister “empathy” (we’ll talk more about that another time) and it deserves more of the spotlight.
Why curiousity makes you a better leader
Curiousity is the ability (and willingness) to ask questions, stay open to different perspectives, and sit with uncertainty. It’s not just a soft skill. It’s a serious competitive edge.
And it’s a critical part of having a growth mindset.
Here’s why:
It deepens trust. Curious leaders don’t jump to conclusions. They listen. They ask questions that signal openness, not judgement. This builds psychological safety.
It helps you influence better. When you’re genuinely curious about the needs and views of others, you don’t bulldoze your message, you build buy-in.
It drives better decisions. Curiousity means you challenge your own assumptions, seek out missing information, and spot blind spots before they become problems. If you’re familiar with my leadership coaching, you’ll know we go deep on this as you build your own leadership identity and confidence, and as you consider the impact you have on others.
In short, curiousity keeps your leadership sharp, human, and adaptive.
How curious are you, really?
A quick self-audit. It won’t be painful I promise.
When was the last time you:
Changed your mind because of something someone else said?
Asked your team what they thought before giving your view?
Actively sought feedback without bracing for critique?
Noticed a strong emotional reaction, and got curious about what was underneath it?
If your answer is “not recently,” you’re not alone. Most of us are rewarded for being right, not being open. But that’s a trap. Because curiousity isn’t about having all the answers (no-one can!), it’s about asking better questions.
5 coaching tools to grow and strengthen your curiousity
Let’s get practical. Here are five tools I use with leaders to develop curiousity as an intentional habit, not just a personality trait.