Curiosity may have killed the cat, but... not in business.

We’ve all heard the adage that Curiosity Killed the Cat.  While that may be true in the animal world, we know that curiosity in business causes us to challenge the status quo.  Being curious causes us to ask questions, seek new answers to age-old problems, and fosters a spirit of innovation.  I remember twenty-five years ago when I was in a new-hire training class, the trainer asked me to stop asking questions – she said I was being disruptive as she emotionlessly read from a stagnant training manual and simply expected it to “stick” with the class of new hires.  I learned two things that day.  Don’t be afraid to be curious, and don’t ever become complacent.  

The complacent trainer’s career was short-lived.  On the other hand, I’ve made a career of being curious, asking questions, and constantly forcing myself and others to challenge the way we do things.  You see, in business Curiosity won’t kill you – Complacency will.  

We take success (or the absence of a crisis) for granted.  

How many people fail to buy fire extinguishers for their homes simply because they’ve never had a fire?  Complacency.   

How many managers fail to document crucial conversations because they’ve never been asked to provide written documentation to help uphold a lawsuit or associate relations investigation?  Complacency. 

How many parents fail to teach their kids about drugs because “my kid would never” sets in?  Complacency.

How many homeowners fail to buy flood insurance until after they experience their first flood?  Complacency.

How many leaders stop reading, asking questions, asking for feedback, taking classes or growing in their roles because they’ve been in leadership for many years and already “know everything”?  Complacency.

Curiosity won’t kill you in business.  Curiosity makes you and those around you better.  Complacency on the other hand… Complacency will take you down, and often you won’t even see it coming until it’s too late.