Curiosity Is the Fuel of Engagement
Think about the most engaging leaders you’ve worked with. Chances are, they weren’t the ones with all the answers. They were the ones with all the questions.
That’s because engagement and curiosity are inseparable. In fact, an engaged leader is a curious leader. Without curiosity, leaders stagnate. With it, they grow—and bring their teams along for the journey.
Why Curiosity Matters for Leaders
Curiosity isn’t about idle interest; it’s about intentional exploration. For leaders, curiosity serves three essential functions:
It Prevents Stagnation. Without curiosity, leaders fall into routines that dull innovation and disengage their teams. Curiosity keeps them moving forward.
It Fuels Learning. Curiosity drives leaders to ask better questions, seek new perspectives, and embrace growth.
It Inspires Engagement. When leaders model curiosity, they signal that learning, questioning, and experimenting are not only safe but expected.
Curious leaders stay engaged because they are never done growing.
The Cost of Losing Curiosity
When curiosity fades, so does engagement. Leaders who stop asking “why” or “what’s next” often display warning signs like:
Growing detachment from their teams.
Relying on old playbooks instead of adapting.
Avoiding feedback because it feels threatening.
Focusing only on tasks instead of possibilities.
These leaders may still be busy, but they aren’t engaged. And disengaged leaders quickly create disengaged teams.
Curiosity in Action
Curiosity isn’t a trait you either have or don’t. It’s a practice leaders can cultivate daily.
1. Ask More, Tell Less
Instead of providing solutions, start with questions:
“What options do we have?”
“What’s another way to look at this problem?”
“What did we learn from that attempt?”
This not only generates ideas but also empowers others to think critically.
2. Seek Out New Perspectives
Engaged leaders step outside their silos. They read widely, connect with peers in different fields, and invite voices from across their organizations to contribute. Diversity of thought fuels better decisions.
3. Reframe Challenges as Experiments
Curious leaders see obstacles as opportunities for discovery. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen to us?” they ask, “What can we learn here that will make us stronger?”
4. Stay Curious About People
Curiosity isn’t just about problems and ideas—it’s about people. Engaged leaders want to know what drives their team members, what challenges they face, and what support they need to thrive.
A Story of Leadership Curiosity
One physician leader described how curiosity transformed her practice. Early in her career, she believed engagement meant working harder than anyone else and setting the pace. But her team grew exhausted and disengaged.
When she shifted to curiosity—asking staff what barriers they faced, listening to their suggestions, and experimenting with their ideas—everything changed. Engagement soared. Patients noticed the difference, too. Satisfaction scores rose, not because she worked harder, but because she worked more curiously.
Her team didn’t just feel managed—they felt seen and heard. That’s the power of curiosity in leadership.
How to Build Your Curiosity Muscle
Like resilience or accountability, curiosity can be developed. Try this simple weekly rhythm:
Monday: Ask your team, “What’s one thing we could try differently this week?”
Wednesday: Read or listen to something outside your field and share one insight.
Friday: Reflect: “What did I learn this week? What surprised me?”
This rhythm reinforces that curiosity isn’t occasional—it’s ongoing.
Final Thought
Curiosity is more than a personality trait. It’s the daily discipline that keeps leaders engaged and teams inspired.
When leaders stay curious, they stay connected—to their people, to their purpose, and to the possibilities ahead. Without curiosity, leadership dries up. With it, leadership flourishes.
So ask yourself: What question will fuel your engagement today?
Engaged leadership is fueled by curiosity.
Discover practical ways to stay engaged, resilient, and accountable in Vital Signs: A Guide to Healthy Organizations for Physicians.
If you’re ready to cultivate curiosity and engagement in your leadership, I also work directly with leaders and teams to apply the HEART framework—helping them build habits that spark learning, inspire people, and sustain growth. Visit vitalsigns-book.com to explore the book and connect with me about building engaged leaders.