_{Tune in to the Do Good to Lead Well Podcast as Dr. Todd Kashdan reveals why curiosity is the most overlooked yet essential skill for effective leadership. Learn actionable tips to create open conversations, spark creativity, and develop a resilient, high-performing team, one question at a time.}

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The Power of Curiosity in Modern Leadership

What if the most essential leadership skill isn't confidence, charisma, or strategic thinking, but something far more fundamental? According to psychology professor Dr. Todd Kashdan, author of The Art of Insubordination, The Upside of Your Darkside, Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life, Designing Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Positive Psychology, curiosity has become the ultimate differentiator for leaders navigating our technology-driven world.

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As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly sophisticated at handling information gathering and synthesis, what remains uniquely human is our ability to engage with warmth, responsiveness, and genuine curiosity about others. Leaders who master this skill create environments where innovation thrives and people feel truly valued.

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Why Curiosity Transforms Leadership Dynamics

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The most powerful aspect of curiosity lies in its ability to serve as an antidote to defensive reactions when facing disagreement. Instead of immediately dismissing opposing viewpoints, curious leaders lean into these moments as opportunities for discovery and connection.

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Think about your last heated discussion at work. What would have happened if you had responded with genuine curiosity instead of defensiveness? Dr. Kashdan's research shows that when we focus on understanding rather than winning, we naturally reduce social anxiety and create space for meaningful dialogue.

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The Communication Revolution

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Great conversationalists share one common trait: they focus on extracting what makes others amazing rather than showcasing their own brilliance. This shift from self-promotion to genuine interest creates what Kashdan calls a "double win" where both parties feel energized by the exchange.

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As leaders, this means asking questions that reveal people's strengths, experiences, and perspectives. When someone feels truly seen and heard, they attribute those positive feelings to you, building trust and rapport naturally.

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Creating Psychological Safety Through Curiosity

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Here's where curiosity becomes transformative for leadership effectiveness. When team members share different perspectives or challenge existing ideas, how you respond communicates volumes about your organizational culture.

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Instead of shutting down dissent quickly, curious leaders ask exploratory questions like: "If everything worked out exactly as planned with your idea, what do you imagine happening that's different?". This approach signals to everyone present that diverse thinking is valued and respected.

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The Practical Application

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Curiosity in leadership isn't about being nice or accommodating. It's about recognizing that every conversation is like improvisational jazz, where the magic happens when you're responsive to what others bring to the moment. This requires social sensitivity to read the room and adapt your approach accordingly.

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The leaders who thrive in tomorrow's workplace will be those who master the art of genuine human connection through curiosity, creating environments where innovation flourishes and people feel empowered to contribute their best thinking.

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The Power of Curiosity in Modern Leadership

“Curiosity is your leadership superpower, it sparks innovation, deepens trust, and makes your conversations genuinely rewarding.” _{-Todd Kashdan}

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Why Curiosity Matters

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Imagine stepping into a meeting where people light up when you ask for their thoughts, or tackling a tough conversation and noticing how curiosity lowers defenses and inspires honesty. That’s the ripple effect of curious leadership. Dr. Todd Kashdan emphasizes that curiosity isn’t just about asking questions—it’s about showing you care enough to explore, to listen, and to dig for deeper understanding.

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Actionable Steps: Put Curiosity to Work

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1. Lead with Open-Ended Questions

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Try swapping out yes-or-no questions for those that start with “How,” “What,” or “Why.”
- Example: Instead of “Do you agree?” try “What do you see as the strengths and risks in this idea?”
Practice pausing after asking, curiosity thrives in silence, giving others space to think.

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2. Respond with “Tell Me More”

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When a team member shares an opinion, invite them to elaborate:
- “That’s interesting. Can you walk me through your thinking a bit more?”
This not only shows respect but encourages honest dialogue.

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3. Reframe Disagreement as Discovery

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When you hear a challenging point of view, lean in:
- “I hadn’t thought of it that way. What led you there?”
- “If your solution worked perfectly, how would things be different?”
Curiosity transforms conflict into a creative problem-solving session.

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4. Celebrate Curiosity in Your Team

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Recognize curiosity-driven contributions in meetings or emails.
- “Great question—I hadn’t considered that angle before.”
Share stories of when curiosity led to a breakthrough or lesson learned.

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5. Reflect and Model

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Ask yourself at the end of the day: “When did I ask real questions today? What did I learn about someone else?”
Let your team see you admit when you don’t have all the answers. It sets the tone for a learning culture.

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Quick Self-Test: Are You Leading with Curiosity?

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Do my colleagues feel comfortable sharing dissenting ideas with me?
Have I intentionally learned something new about a team member this week?
Can I list instances where curiosity helped avert a misunderstanding or fostered a breakthrough?

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Curiosity is a muscle, the more you use it, the easier it becomes to spark innovative ideas and build trust. Start with just one step above and watch how your leadership impact grows, conversation by conversation.

‍Try it today: The next time you disagree with someone, pause and say, “Interesting—what brought you to that conclusion?” Then, truly listen.

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The Power of Curiosity in Modern Leadership

Visualize this: You walk into a room, and instead of offering your opinions right away, you scan for what’s unique in each person’s perspective. You listen, not just to reply, but to truly understand what drives their thinking. This is the magic of curiosity-based leadership. Dr. Todd Kashdan’s insights highlight how shifting from certainty to genuine inquiry turns average leaders into transformative ones.

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Curiosity, Kashdan explains, is a core strategy for effectiveness. It bridges the gap between you and your team, especially when stakes are high or there’s tension in the air. When you approach every exchange with a desire to learn something new, you signal respect, openness, and psychological safety.

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Real-Life Ways to Practice Curiosity as a Leader

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Embrace a culture of curiosity in leadership: #becurious and unlock better communication, psychological safety, and innovation in your team, inspired by Todd Kashdan’s expertise in positive psychology and emotional intelligence.

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Start Meetings with a Discovery Mindset

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Before jumping into the agenda, try asking, “What’s one thing you’re curious about today?” Even casual curiosity can energize tired teams and reveal underlying concerns or opportunities.

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Flip Complaints into Opportunities

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If team members are hesitant or critical, dig deeper. Instead of shutting down negativity, say, “What kernel of truth or insight is hiding in this concern?” You might uncover the seed of a great idea.

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Invite Outlier Voices

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Curiosity isn’t about consensus. Reach out to team members who rarely speak up or who think differently.

“Ali, I’ve noticed you seem to approach challenges from a unique angle, how would you tackle this?”

When they share, visibly appreciate their input, which sets a norm that all voices are valued.

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Keep Curiosity Alive Outside Formal Settings

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Great leaders don’t switch curiosity off at the end of a meeting. Grab a coffee with a colleague and ask about their aspirations or lessons from past projects. This builds trust and often surfaces creative ideas that never make it into formal pitches.

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Encourage Learning from Mistakes

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Instead of asking “Who’s at fault?” shift to “What did we learn, and how can we experiment next time?” Curiosity turns mistakes into stepping stones for future success.

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Bringing It Home

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Curiosity is a force multiplier in any workplace. Applying it means moving away from control and toward connection. When leaders model curiosity, they lay the groundwork for innovation, adaptability, and a resilient team culture.

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So, next time you lead a project, try wearing the “curiosity hat.” Watch how your questions spark richer conversations, greater buy-in, and solutions you alone could never have uncovered. That’s the real power of curiosity in modern leadership.

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Unlocking the Strength of Curiosity in Leadership

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Curiosity is the spark that ignites meaningful change in teams and organizations. Dr. Kashdan’s research reveals that when leaders operate from a place of genuine curiosity, they create cultures that are open to new ideas and resilient in the face of adversity.

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Welcoming Dissent with an Open Mind

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Leadership isn’t about always having the right answers; it’s about the willingness to explore the unknown. When team members voice disagreements or express concerns, a curious leader sees these moments as valuable input rather than threats. By asking, “What makes you feel this way?” or “What would success look like if we tried your approach?” leaders create an atmosphere where people feel safe to contribute ideas, even if they differ from the mainstream.

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Fostering Genuine Connections

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Curious leaders take the time to learn about their team members’ experiences and perspectives. Instead of focusing solely on results, they invest in understanding what motivates individuals and how they approach challenges. This habit builds stronger relationships that can weather tough times. When people feel seen and heard, they are more willing to collaborate and bring their best selves to work.

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Turning Challenges into Learning Opportunities

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Obstacles are inevitable in any organization, but they’re also opportunities for growth. With a curious mindset, leaders view setbacks as puzzles to solve rather than failures to avoid. By encouraging the question, “What can we learn from this?” they transform issues into stepping stones for growth. This perspective helps teams move forward with confidence, knowing that mistakes are part of the path to innovation.

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Encouraging Everyday Curiosity

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Curiosity thrives when practiced consistently. Great leaders model curiosity in casual conversations, in how they handle feedback, and in the way they approach daily challenges. Over time, this approach becomes contagious, inspiring others to adopt a similar mindset. As curiosity becomes part of the team’s DNA, the group becomes more adaptable, creative, and resilient.

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In the fast-changing world of work, the ability to stay curious and welcome new perspectives is a superpower. Leaders who embrace curiosity set themselves and their teams apart, building cultures where everyone feels empowered to question, adapt, and grow.

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Ready to take curiosity to the next level?

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To get practical tools and actionable tips that will jumpstart your journey, download the Curiosity Booklet here.
Join the newsletter to be notified when a new episode is ready for you to listen and get every Kick Starter Booklet for all future episodes.
And if you’re looking to elevate your entire C-Suite leadership team, learn how Craig Dowden can help your leaders perform at their highest-level visit https://www.craigdowden.com/executive-mastermind
For a deeper dive, listen to the full-length episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast featuring Wes Adams & Tamara Myles:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts

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Did you like this article on group dynamics? Does it help you become a better leader? Then check out these articles to help hone those skills even further:

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