Curious Before Critical: Rewire Your Brain

My mantra for five years has been “Curious before critical.” My former boss and mentor taught me this approach and it took years of work the implement it in such a way that it reshaped my thinking. I’ll explain the reasons why I invested the years into repeating this mantra.?

We walk around in life ready to judge and criticize at anytime. This is easy. If someone says something in a meeting that seems like a bad question, we are critical of their intellect. If someone doesn’t deliver on a task, we are critical of their competence. If someone is late, we are critical of their commitment. What would change if we were curious first? We can’t control others. We can be curious about what they do and change the way that we receive the actions of others.?

“It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” -Epicetus

We cannot learn things that we think we already know. Always be curious first. Being curious allows us to ask questions and seek out new information. It opens up our minds to new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities. Curiosity helps us to challenge assumptions, test hypotheses, and explore the unknown. In business, this can lead to innovation, growth, and competitive advantage. When we are curious, we are more likely to take risks and try new things, which can lead to breakthroughs and discoveries.

Secondly, being curious fosters a learning mindset. When we approach a situation with a curious mindset, we are open to learning and discovering new things. This allows us to continuously improve and grow, both personally and professionally. In business, a learning mindset can lead to a culture of continuous improvement, where employees are encouraged to learn from their mistakes and to seek out new ways of doing things. This can also create a sense of psychological safety that allows people to bring their best selves.?

Thirdly, being curious promotes empathy and understanding. When we are curious about others, we seek to understand their perspective, needs, and desires. This can lead to better relationships, both personally and professionally. In business, empathy and understanding can lead to better customer focus, more effective collaboration, and stronger team dynamics. In relationships, curiosity allows us to learn more about the other person.?

Fourthly, being curious can lead to better decision-making. When we approach a situation with a curious mindset, we gather more information and consider more options before making a decision. This can lead to more informed and well-rounded decisions. In business, this can lead to better strategic planning, more effective problem-solving, and better outcomes.

Finally, being curious promotes a sense of wonder and awe. When we approach life with a sense of wonder and awe, we are more likely to find joy and meaning in our experiences. This can lead to a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment, both personally and professionally. In business, this can lead to a more positive and engaged workforce, where employees feel a sense of pride and ownership in their work. In life, we can experience more joy from starting from a place of curiosity more similar to the way that children experience life.?

In conclusion, being curious before critical is a valuable mindset to cultivate both in business and in life. It opens up our minds to new ideas, fosters a learning mindset, promotes empathy and understanding, leads to better decision-making, and promotes a sense of wonder and awe. This mantra can make all of your life better. As Peter Drucker once said, "The important and difficult job is never to find the right answer, it is to find the right question." By being curious, we can find the right questions and unlock the answers to some of life's most challenging problems.