If you gather a group to describe what makes a strong leader, you’re likely to hear responses like these:
- “Leaders have a commanding presence. Their robust physicality encourages others to follow their lead.”
- “Leaders communicate effectively. Their powerful voices and impactful language inspire those around them.”
- “Leaders possess charm. Their entrance into a room demands attention.”
Many of us are familiar with such views on leadership. However, I believe these notions are often flawed and not entirely accurate. While some leaders may be tall, attractive, and have resonant voices, these traits do not encapsulate the true nature of leadership. If you question this perspective, consider a few prominent leaders who lack these attributes:
- Stephen Hawking was a preeminent scientist and revolutionary thinker, yet he faced significant physical obstacles.
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Supreme Court justice, possessed a brilliant legal intellect, but did her voice resonate powerfully? Rarely.
- Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, transformed commerce and enterprise, but does he capture attention solely due to his appearance?
- The Dalai Lama and Pope Francis emanate profound spirituality that has reshaped people’s perceptions, yet they present themselves with humility and simplicity.
- Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO and the author of the influential book Lean In, is a forward-thinking leader reshaping women’s roles in society, yet her manner is subdued and unassuming.
I trust you’ll concur that these distinctly different individuals are indeed significant leaders. They share many common traits. Each one is empathetic and intellectually astute. They can identify, comprehend, and articulate expansive ideas and concepts. I would like to suggest that another attribute is central to their leadership…
They all exhibit an immense sense of curiosity.
Indeed, they have dedicated their lives to uncovering innovative solutions for age-old challenges, finding new motivational approaches, developing fresh perspectives, and even adopting novel behaviors. While some may feel that discovering one solution is enough, exceptional leaders relentlessly seek out the new and improved.
Among them, you’ll discover patterns of curiosity such as:
1. Exceptional leaders embrace “Ingaged Leadership.”
This signifies a greater interest in listening to others rather than solely themselves. They are eager to hear and learn from individuals of various ages and diverse backgrounds. Rather than excluding voices, they actively include them. They perpetually seek fresh concepts, and when they encounter promising ideas, they delve into exploration vigorously.
2. Exceptional leaders show deep curiosity for concepts from the humanities.
We observe that, for instance, Steve Jobs immersed himself in the study of beautiful designs, aiming for every product not only to function well but also to be visually appealing. Would his products have achieved similar success solely based on functionality? Perhaps, but his curiosity rendered Apple’s offerings distinctive in the marketplace.
3. Exceptional leaders constantly seek out new and superior solutions.
While others cling to ideas that have been adequately effective in the past, innovative leaders continuously hunt for dramatically different and enhanced approaches.
4. Exceptional leaders are receptive to being proven wrong.
In fact, they prioritize humility, surrounding themselves with individuals whose ideas might surpass their own.
5. Exceptional leaders acknowledge their limitations and seek assistance when necessary.
This mindset removes any ceilings on their growth potential. When he began his journey, did Bezos possess all the knowledge about the technology that helped him build Amazon.com? Likely not, but he exhibited the curiosity to engage the right individuals with the right inquiries.
Every day presents a chance to discover new ideas, acquire knowledge, and attempt novel approaches. If curiosity is indeed the cornerstone of great leadership—and I am convinced that it is—you can start enhancing your leadership today simply by embracing curiosity.
