The Path To Insight

Throughout my career, I have been a constant learner – meaning that I seek out people and organizations to provide new ideas, ways of thinking, and perspectives in areas or business segments in which I have little understanding. And in today’s hyper-reactive marketplace, I think this kind of curiosity is a necessary resource. Today’s education models don’t emphasize the importance of a continuous learning mindset. With that in mind, I offer a methodology that can unlock a continuous path to learning new things: Curiosity Conversations.

At its core, the idea behind curiosity conversations is a simple but somewhat mystifying concept: engaging in open-ended, curious conversations (dialogues, if you will) with people who have subject-matter expertise or unique perspectives in areas unknown to you or outside your experience.

I can’t take credit for this construct. Brian Grazer has championed curiosity conversations as a cornerstone of his success. He schedules meetings (breakfast, lunch, dinner or just coffee) with accomplished individuals from diverse fields he knows little about. He’s looking for insights about their journeys that may benefit him at some other point in his career. Famously, he met with Timbaland, a producer for many famous music artists like Jay-Z and Missy Elliot. In the music space, he is a highly respected and successful artist in his own right. His meetings with Timbaland led to his idea for the Emmy-award-winning TV series, Empire – a family drama about a fictitious hip-hop music and entertainment company. And his conversations with Eminem led to the film 8 Mile.

The Grazer Effect

?Brian Grazer is the co-founder (along with Ron Howard) of Imagine Entertainment. Grazer has an incredible track record -- his films and TV shows have been nominated for 43 Oscars including the Best Picture Oscar for?A Beautiful Mind and 198 Emmys. At the same time his movies have generated more than $15 billion in worldwide theatrical, music and video grosses.??

He believes his “curiosity conversations” are the bedrock of his success.?

His approach is simple: embrace the unknown, seek out diverse connections (i.e., engage with people whose skill set and experience are different than yours), actively listen and, importantly, challenge your existing assumptions. Net, net … become comfortable with the uncomfortable.

The Benefits Are Significant

For me, there are four main benefits:

1.??? Personal Growth – These conversations expand my horizons and contribute to my continuous personal and professional growth.

2.??? Strengthen Creativity – As a longtime marketing and advertising executive, exposing myself to others who are successful in fields unrelated to mine, helps catalyze new creative ideas and ways of thinking. It sparks new ways of doing things.

3.??? Empathy – Listening and learning from others cultivates a sense of understanding that strengthens relationships.

4.??? Problem-Solving – I have become a better problem solver because I’ve learned new angles give me a much broader perspective. I have a better sense of seeing the proverbial forest for the trees.

Why It Matters

I believe success in life is in the agency of others and one’s ability to continuously learn. Curiosity conversations are a powerful amplifier for lifelong learning. The potential for personal growth is tangible. It has helped me broaden my interests – both business and personal. As well, I have fostered many new connections – again, in business and in my personal life.?

So, my lessons learned:?

1.??????? Embrace the concept of continuous learning. It will pay dividends many times over.

2.??????? Pursue the power of curiosity conversations. It truly is a powerful way to unlock significant knowledge gains and enhance personal growth.

3.??????? Be open-minded. learn new concepts, ideas, and ways of thinking. Reach out to those who don’t work in your space and discover how their experience can catalyze yours.