Specialisation often feels like the golden ticket to success, but there’s another, less celebrated quality that has propelled many into fulfilling senior roles: curiosity.
Not just the kind of curiosity that drives you to master your immediate responsibilities, but a broader curiosity – a desire to understand the entirety of a business and the people who make it work.
I believe my career success has largely been due to this trait. It wasn’t enough for me to excel in my own role; I’ve always wanted to understand how every role in the business connects to the bigger picture. This mindset has shaped the way I solve problems and deliver solutions – and it’s taught me some invaluable lessons about the power of curiosity.
The Value of Seeing the Bigger Picture
In every job I’ve held, even at the most junior level, I’ve felt an almost innate pull to step outside my “lane” and explore how others do their work. I wasn’t doing this to meddle or micromanage – it was simply about learning. What challenges do other teams face? How do their responsibilities align with mine? What does success look like from their perspective?
By understanding these dynamics, I’ve been able to approach challenges in a way that goes beyond addressing the immediate needs of my role or my team. Instead, I’ve been able to craft solutions that contribute to the larger success of the organisation. For instance, when faced with a problem in my role, I’ve sought out the ripple effects: How will this impact another department? Is there a way to tweak the solution so it benefits multiple teams, not just my own?
This habit of seeing the bigger picture has not only made me better at solving problems but it’s also made me a more valuable contributor to the businesses I’ve been a part of. And in turn, it’s definitely opened doors to new opportunities and roles that might have otherwise remained out of reach!
Curiosity as a Path to Leadership
When I reflect on colleagues who have quickly advanced into senior roles, there’s a common thread among them: they share this same curiosity. They don’t simply excel at what’s in their job description – they actively seek to understand what’s outside of it. They aren’t afraid to ask questions, to step back and consider how their work impacts others, or to collaborate in ways that transcend traditional boundaries.
Leadership is, at its core, about seeing the interconnectedness of everything. It’s about making decisions that consider not just one team or department, but the entire organisation. Leaders who are curious naturally cultivate this mindset because they’ve trained themselves to think beyond their immediate tasks and responsibilities.
How to Foster Curiosity in Your Career
If you want to embrace curiosity and unlock its potential in your career, here are a few practical steps you can take:
- Ask Questions – Lots of Them: When interacting with colleagues in other departments, don’t hesitate to ask about their roles, challenges, and goals. Questions like, “What’s the biggest challenge your team is facing right now?” or “How does my work impact yours?” (my personal favourite 😊) can uncover invaluable insights.
- Shadow or Collaborate Across Teams: If your organisation allows it, take the opportunity to shadow colleagues in other departments or collaborate on cross-functional projects. This hands-on experience will deepen your understanding of the broader business.
- Connect the Dots: Whenever you’re working on a project, think about how it might impact other teams. Proactively consider their perspective and look for win-win opportunities.
- Never Stop Learning: Read about your industry and beyond. Understanding trends and strategies outside your immediate role can help you think more holistically.
- Embrace Empathy: Curiosity is ultimately about understanding people. Try to put yourself in the shoes of your colleagues and approach challenges with empathy.
The Curiosity Challenge
So, let me ask you: Are you curious enough? Are you making the effort to go beyond the boundaries of your role and understand the bigger picture? If not, you might be missing out on one of the most valuable tools for career growth.
Curiosity doesn’t mean you need to have all the answers or interfere in others’ work. It simply means seeking to understand – to appreciate the perspectives of those around you and to use that understanding to make better decisions and deliver better solutions.
In my experience, this mindset isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a game-changer. And it might just be the secret ingredient that sets you apart and propels you to new heights in your career.