Humble Curiosity: Using Diversity of Thought to empower your organization

“The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas. The role of a leader is to create an environment in which great ideas can happen.” ― Simon Senek

Have you ever wondered what "humble curiosity" means in the context of effective business leadership? I believe that humble curiosity is the key to unlocking the full potential of our organizations through the power of diversity of thought.

Humble curiosity is about allowing unexpected voices and viewpoints into conversations, leading us to consider fresh, creative solutions. It's about merging diverse thoughts into our strategies and operations, pushing us beyond our usual boundaries.

So, why don't more business leaders leverage this approach? The answer lies in balancing the 'curious' and the 'humble' parts. While leaders are often open to new ideas, it's the humility to listen to a wider range of advisors that's more challenging.

"Diversity of thought represents how your organization's team members, partners, and customers all hold unique storehouses of information."

This diversity isn't just about different knowledge bases; it's about varied ways of thinking, influenced by each person's background, experiences, and life journeys. Embracing these differences allows us to escape our personal and collective echo chambers.

Four Areas of Application

1. Teams: When hiring, consider your team's collective experience, strengths, and gaps. Look beyond traditional candidates and value different perspectives.

2. Operations: Create a work environment that nurtures diverse thoughts. Allow space for failure and encourage sharing of contrasting viewpoints.

3. Strategic Partnerships: Engage with trusted external voices. Partners like Deloitte, Salesforce, and Launchpad Technologies Inc. can bring fresh perspectives to your organization.

4. Customers: Anchor your decision-making around the customer experience. Understand and integrate your customers' diverse thoughts into your strategies.

Diversity of thought is a goldmine of innovation and progress. As leaders, staying humble in our curiosity allows us to tap into this wealth of perspectives, enriching our organizations and driving success.