The Accidental CEO #9 - Curiosity: A leader’s superpower

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2025! As we turn the page to a fresh start, I’ve been thinking about the power of New Year’s resolutions - not the kind that fizzle out by February, but those that set a meaningful intention for growth. This year, I’d like to propose a resolution: Be more curious.

As a leader, I’ve found that curiosity is a superpower. It’s not just a nice-to-have trait; it’s an essential, multifaceted skill that has transformed how I lead. Whether it’s engaging with your team, understanding your customers, or driving your own personal growth, curiosity fuels success.

Curiosity with your team: Understanding what drives them

One of the most powerful ways curiosity shows up in leadership is in how you engage with your team. Being curious means taking the time to ask questions and truly listen. What do they need to succeed? What motivates them? Where do they want to grow? These aren’t surface-level conversations, they require genuine interest and a willingness to dig deeper.

For me, this has been a game-changer. When you approach your team with curiosity, you create an environment where they feel heard, valued, and empowered. You’re better equipped to unlock their potential because you understand what drives them. And as an added bonus, it strengthens trust and collaboration, which are the foundations of any high-performing team.

Curiosity with customers: Seeing the world through their eyes

Curiosity doesn’t stop with your team; it’s just as critical when it comes to clients or customers. As a CEO, I’ve learned that the best way to create value is to approach every interaction with curiosity. What keeps them up at night? What are their goals, challenges, and dreams? What would make their experience truly exceptional?

It’s easy to assume we know what our clients or customers want, but curiosity pushes us to step back and ask the right questions. When we see the world through their eyes, we don’t just meet their expectations, we exceed them. That’s where real innovation happens.

Curiosity for personal growth: Never stop learning

Finally, curiosity plays a huge role in personal growth. For me, curiosity drives how I network, how I learn, and how I explore new ideas. It’s what gets me excited to meet new people, hear their stories, and find out how I can help them - or what I can learn from them.

As a leader, it’s tempting to feel like you should have all the answers. But the truth is, the best leaders are lifelong learners. They ask questions, challenge assumptions, and stay open to new perspectives. Curiosity keeps you adaptable, informed, and inspired.

Final thoughts: Make curiosity your resolution

Curiosity is a skill that touches every aspect of leadership, from empowering your team to understanding your customers and driving your own growth. As we head into 2025, I encourage you to make curiosity your resolution. Start asking more questions, seeking out different perspectives, and leaning into opportunities to learn.

Curiosity isn’t just a superpower, it’s a driver of success. And in my experience, it’s one of the most rewarding resolutions you can make.

– The Accidental CEO

If you'd like to read some of my previous posts:

The Accidental CEO #1 - The Accidental CEO

The Accidental CEO #2 - Embracing uniqueness shaped my career

The Accidental CEO #3 - Trade-offs are part of success

The Accidental CEO #4 - Take a chance on me

The Accidental CEO #5 - The rollercoaster ride of leadership

The Accidental CEO #6 - The power of connection?

The Accidental CEO #7 - The 3 Cs

The Accidental CEO #8 - Life is a prototype