Curiosity as a Leadership Superpower

5 Actions Leaders Can Take to Foster Growth and Innovation

Curiosity is often overlooked as a leadership trait, but in an ever-evolving business landscape, it is a true superpower. The ability to question, explore, and seek out new knowledge is what distinguishes successful leaders from those who get stuck in the status quo. In fact, research from Harvard Business Review shows that curious employees are more engaged, productive, and innovative, while curious leaders are more likely to inspire creativity and adaptability within their teams.

In today’s rapidly changing workplace, fueled by the complexities of a post-COVID world where remote work, digital transformation, and shifting employee expectations are the new normal—curiosity enables leaders to stay agile and responsive to these evolving challenges. Leaders who cultivate curiosity not only drive organizational success but also create a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.

Leaders who remain curious foster innovation, inspire their teams, and make more informed decisions. In this article, we’ll explore five actionable steps leaders can take to keep their curiosity alive, empower their teams, and drive organizational growth.

1. Stay Curious About People

Beyond processes and business trends, curious leaders stay curious about their people. They take the time to understand their team members’ unique strengths, motivations, and challenges, creating a more personalized approach to leadership. This is particularly important in the post-COVID era, where many employees are dealing with new work-life balance challenges or remote work dynamics.

• Impact on Leadership and Team: When leaders show genuine curiosity about their team members, it fosters stronger relationships, higher morale, and increased engagement. According to Harvard Business Review, leaders who show interest in their employees’ well-being are 60% more likely to have engaged and motivated teams. Additionally, curious leaders are better equipped to identify and develop the potential of their people, leading to stronger overall team performance.
• Action Step: Take time to regularly check in with your team members—not only about work, but about their individual goals, interests, and challenges. Use tools like one-on-one meetings to deepen your understanding of what motivates and drives each person, both professionally and personally, then adapt your leadership style accordingly.

2. Challenge Assumptions Regularly

One of the most powerful ways leaders can stay curious is by challenging assumptions in their own practices, as well as, challenging assumptions in daily business practices. Many leadership decisions are made based on long-standing beliefs about what works and what doesn’t. Rather than accepting the status quo or going with the flow, curious leaders constantly question how things are done and why. This mindset not only fuels personal growth but also drives organizational innovation.

• Impact on Leader and Team: Challenging assumptions allows leaders to uncover inefficiencies, outdated practices, or unexplored opportunities. When leaders encourage their teams to question assumptions, it empowers employees to think critically and bring fresh perspectives to the table. Leaders who challenge their assumptions become more adaptable and open-minded. They avoid falling into the trap of complacency. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, companies that foster a culture of questioning the status quo experience 30% faster growth than those that do not.
• Action Step: Make it a habit to regularly revisit core assumptions about your business, industry, or leadership style. Ask yourself and your team: "Why do we do it this way?" or "How do we approach this problem from a different angle?" Encourage diversity of thought by inviting others to challenge assumptions as well. This practice prevents complacency and opens the door to new ideas and solutions.

3. Ask "What If?" to Encourage Creativity

Curious leaders use "what if" questions to open those doors and spark creative thinking that challenge the limits of what's possible. By encouraging expansive thinking, leaders open the door to breakthrough innovations and challenge their teams to think outside the box. This approach can help teams break free from conventional thinking and explore alternative solutions to complex challenges. Asking "what if" drives creativity and shifts the focus from limitations to opportunities.

• Impact on Leader and Team: Leaders who regularly ask "what if" questions become more creative problem-solvers and strategic thinkers. They develop a mindset that looks beyond immediate limitations, which enables them to identify opportunities that others might miss. When teams are encouraged to imagine bold possibilities, they are more likely to innovate and take calculated risks. Research from Stanford University shows that teams encouraged to think outside the box through hypothetical questions are 40% more likely to come up with breakthrough ideas.
• Action Step: During brainstorming sessions or strategic planning, introduce "what if" questions to encourage expansive thinking. For example: "What if we had no budget constraints?" or "What if we had the time, talent, and resources?" These hypotheticals can open up creative discussions and help the team consider scenarios that hadn’t been on the radar.

4. Practice Active Listening

Curiosity isn’t just about asking questions—it’s also about listening intently to the answers. Leaders who practice active listening pay full attention to what their team members say, ask follow-up questions, and avoid interrupting. Active listening enables leaders to more fully understand the perspectives, challenges, and ideas of their teams. This builds trust and encourages employees to share their insights, which often leads to more informed decision-making.

• Impact on Leader and Team: Active listening builds trust and rapport, crucial for effective leadership to create higher performance. When team members feel heard, they are more engaged and committed to their work. Active listening improves team morale and encourages open communication, fostering a more collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute. According to Gallup, leaders who practice active listening see 4.6 times higher engagement in their teams.
• Action Step: Dedicate time during team meetings to practice active listening. Rather than jumping in with solutions or advice, give team members space to explain their ideas fully. Follow up with probing questions to clarify and expand on what’s being said. Curious leaders practice the skill of “listening to understand” instead of “listening to agree or disagree” as first impulse.

5. Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity

Curious leaders see failure not as a setback, but as a stepping stone to growth. They understand that taking risks and trying new things inevitably leads to failure at times, but they also know that these failures provide the best opportunities for growth. By treating setbacks as learning opportunities, they foster a mindset of continuous improvement and resilience within their teams. This creates an environment where employees and teams are more willing to experiment and innovate without fear of blame.

• Impact on Leader and Team: Leaders who embrace failure become more resilient and open to taking risks. Leaders who embrace failure create a psychologically safe environment where teams feel empowered to take calculated risks. This mindset helps them navigate uncertainty and adapt to changes, making them more effective in the face of challenges. When leaders frame failure as part of the learning process, teams feel empowered to experiment. This reduces fear of making mistakes and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. A report by Harvard Business School found that organizations with leaders who view failure as a learning opportunity saw 25% higher innovation rates and increased team creativity.
• Action Step: After any project—whether it succeeded or failed—conduct a "lessons learned" session with your team. Encourage honest reflections on what went well, what didn’t, and what can be improved next time. Frame failure as part of the learning process, not something to be punished or avoided.

Conclusion: Leading with Curiosity in a Post-COVID World

In a world where markets, technologies, and workplace dynamics are constantly evolving, curiosity is an indispensable leadership superpower. In today’s fast-changing business landscape, curiosity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have. ?Leaders who cultivate curiosity will be better equipped to navigate the unknown, inspire their teams, and stay ahead of the competition. In today’s fast-changing business landscape, curiosity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have. By staying curious, leaders position themselves to navigate uncertainty, embrace change, and lead with resilience and creativity. In doing so, they create teams and organizations that are not only prepared to face the future but to thrive in it.

Stay curious, stay adaptive, and watch your team—and your business—thrive.

By: Dr. Steven Jones, CEO

Global LeaderSHYFT, inc.