Intellectual Humility and Curiosity: Keys to Turbo Thinkers'© Success
As Turbo Thinkers©, we share a strong character strength—curiosity—a force that propels us toward learning in the fearless pursuit of our passion. I recently came across an article in HBR '4 Phases That Build a Culture of Curiosity', immediately recognizing its applicability to our unique brain type. While executives may initially fear rapidly changing technological advancements or evolving workplace cultures and demands, Turbo Thinkers© find themselves at an advantage due to their curiosity.
The article posits that infusing curiosity into a company's culture is potent, transcending its often-limited role as an information-gathering tool. Moving beyond "shallow curiosity" to embrace the deeper variant fosters connection by unearthing stories, values, experiences, and feelings. This intentional curiosity becomes a vital leadership tool, especially in navigating the complexities of technological advancements and evolving cultural dynamics with diverse teams. Utilizing key phrases like "I don't know," "Tell me more," "I understand that you're more than your job," and "Who else?" enhances the culture of curiosity within the team, fostering relationships and aiding conflict resolution.
As Turbo Thinkers©, we sometimes suffer from imposter syndrome and feel the need to mask in the workplace. We fear being "found out" and avoid confrontation or hastily conjure a response rather than leaning into a moment of vulnerability and transparency by admitting we may not know the correct answer…yet. This fear often arises in executive settings, where the pressure to exhibit executive function skills can be overwhelming.
Intellectual humility, defined as recognizing the potential fallibility of one's beliefs, is a crucial aspect of curiosity. Leaders often hesitate to admit "I don't know," fearing it may signal incompetence. However, research highlights that practicing intellectual humility doesn't diminish perceived competence but enhances it. Leaders embracing this trait are seen as more competent, communal, and friendly, fostering trust among team members. Acknowledging uncertainty demonstrates a lack of arrogance and an openness to diverse perspectives.
Following a declaration like "I don't know," leaders must take action to foster a culture of learning, growth, and future confidence through avenues such as executive coaching. Initiating inquiries such as, "But how might we learn more?" promotes a curiosity that stimulates team participation, collaboration, and problem-solving. Moreover, embracing intellectual humility and executive function skills reduces workplace anxiety. A study in the Journal of Positive Psychology revealed a remarkable association: intellectual humility was linked to lower anxiety levels and higher happiness and overall life satisfaction.