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What Are You Most Curious About?
February 17, 2023
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First, From the Heart
We live in a universe of constant change and inquiry. Not one of us knows anything for certain. Although many of us think we know or would like to believe we know, our reality is that we just don’t. Now that’s uncomfortable!
Given the backdrop of change and uncertainty that defines our existence, how do we navigate day-to-day, quarter-to-quarter, and year-to-year? Staying open and curious might offer a way through. While curiosity is often programmed out of us soon after childhood, we can bring attention and focus to re-awaken this remarkably powerful quality within our human nature.
We are so curious to see what emerges when we get off our screens and gather in-person! After three years of convening compassionate leaders through our eight-week online cohorts, we are incredibly excited to facilitate a public two-day immersion at Unilever’s Four Acres Retreat Centre just outside of London. The training will mirror the path of our eight-week curriculum, baked into an immersive environment for collaboration, connection, and community. You can learn more about the London Compassionate Leadership and Organisational Change Immersion here.
Stay curious and kind,
Laura
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Best of the Blog
Core Curiosities of Compassionate Leaders
This week, two new cohorts began their eight-week journey in our compassionate leadership certification training. We asked these incoming leaders from around the world about their top curiosities pertaining to compassionate leadership. Are your curiosities similar to theirs? Read more.
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Research Worth Sharing
The Business Case for Curiosity
by Francesca Gino
in Harvard Business Review, September–October 2018, pp.48–57
Research shows that curiosity leads to higher-performing, more-adaptable firms. Although leaders might say they value inquisitive minds, in reality most stifle curiosity, fearing it will increase risk and inefficiency. Harvard Business School’s Francesca Gino elaborates on the benefits of and common barriers to curiosity in the workplace and offers five strategies for bolstering it. Leaders should hire for curiosity, model inquisitiveness, emphasize learning goals, let workers explore and broaden their interests, and have “Why?” “What if…?” and “How might we…?” days. Doing so will help their organizations adapt to uncertain market conditions and external pressures and boost the business’s success. Read more.
Photo Credit: Christina Gandolfo.
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Upcoming Program
Compassionate Leadership & Organisational Change Immersion
Unilever’s Four Acres Retreat Centre, London, UK
Thursday, May 18 – Friday, May 19, 2023
Our challenging and uncertain world invites us to develop, strengthen and sustain our internal and external capacities – to enable flourishing for ourselves and the communities we serve. Join a remarkable peer group of compassionate change-makers from around the world to explore the principles and practices that will enable you to transform your leadership and the lives of those you support. Led by world-class experts, together we will explore the science of leadership, compassion and purpose, harness research-backed techniques, and experience a transformational program that delivers on this 21st Century leadership imperative.
Join other business and organizational leaders, OD, HR, D&I, learning and change leaders, and executive and leadership coaches for a two-day residential immersion at Unilever’s Four Acre Leadership Retreat Centre in London on May 18-19. The gathering is co-hosted by our Global Ambassadors Louise Chester and Daniel Stane. Find out more and register.
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Practice Matters
Curiouser and Curiouser?
In times of uncertainty and doubt, many of us start spinning a tale that takes us down a rabbit hole of fear. That fear is a natural human response to a threat, fine-tuned by evolution to keep us safe. Many people still encounter life-threatening situations where the defensive response of brain and biochemical circuitry is necessary for survival.
We also respond to unpleasant emotional cues in the same fashion. These less serious assaults gnaw away at the edges of our self-image and question our worthiness. In these situations, see if you can soften this automatic threat response that will only add to your sense of chronic stress. Be curious! Look carefully at what has triggered you. Play with different approaches to quiet your internal storm – pause, explore, touch, ground, breathe, reframe. As you practice letting curiosity guide you, notice the release of old patterns and new ways of being emerge.
When can we practice? Always!
If you'd like to explore additional Practice Matters, you can find them here.
Image Credit: Illustration by John Tenniel, wood-engraving by Thomas Dalziel.
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Lead Better, Change Together.
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