A Leader is Curious, Never Stop Asking

#Curious as a Cat

This is the start to my New Book that will be coming out in 2017.  It is a sample writing from one of the Chapters.  
My book will deliver an engaging, practical guide and lessons to help women, and emerging professionals become confident leaders at a young age. And not wait to be perfect before you shine. Grab life by the horns, believe in yourself and do what you love. Please share and comment about each chapter that  you read. I appreciate your advanced interest and comments. Colleen

Sample Chapter:  Curious as a Cat

How curious are you?  What is it you want to learn and how satisfied are you with what you do?  When you become curious you open your mind to new opportunities and things to learn.  Curiosity is not always listed as a leadership skill but it is curiosity that leads to growth.
 
Leaders that are always looking for ways to reinvent and grow know that being curious is a key characteristic trait of great leaders. 
 
How does a leader encourage curiosity amongst their team?  By encouraging change and reflecting on what you can do differently. When you ask yourself or others, “What if”, you start to explore other options.  Not only do you learn from your failures, but when you learn from your successes, it is leadership. 
 
Ask “What if” and you will find the Answer"
 
How do you encourage and become more curious?  Listen when you communicate.  When you are in a conversation, listen deeply to what the other person is saying.  Do not interrupt.  Listen for the thoughts behind the words, there is always something new you will hear.  
 
After the person has stopped talking open the conversation and ask them a question.  How are they doing?  What would happen if you were to ask:  What, How, When, Why in a conversation? Each time you ask a question, you learn something new. 
 
“Life is about not knowing all the answers, but asking a question and learning”.
 
I remember coaching a young, rising woman in her career. She was sure to be a future leader.  She started out very strong in her convictions and after a few conversations, she began to open up and become vulnerable.  She began to shred her outer covering.
 
After learning more about this very smart professional women, I asked her a question about her network.  “Who did she know that perhaps could open doors for her?”  She said that she spent each morning at the gym.  She would talk to a man next to her but the conversation was simple and strictly about the weather and casual talk.  She never asked him a question. 
 
I challenged her to ask him “what he did”.  One day, she approached the man while on a treadmill and was surprised by what she heard.  The man was actually in a senior role in a similar industry. 
 
Think about what she learned when she became curious.  This woman wasn’t being nosey but expanding a present conversation to learn new things.  It was only her curiosity and willingness to ask a question that led her down a new path. 
 
When you stop and listen and follow up with questions, you become a leader. 
 
“Leadership ~ Always thinking about new ways to learn”.
 
Exercise:  Try this with a co-worker, your child or a friend.  The next time you are together, Ask them 3 questions. The questions can be about anything. You can even write down each question and answer, for future reference or memories.  This exercise teaches you to be curious and to learn new things about someone or something.  Curious people are constantly learning as each question you ask, can lead you to a new path.
 
Thank you for reading and please share this on your social media.

COLLEEN

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