Leading with Curiosity: A Leader’s Greatest Tool

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No matter our title or position, we all have moments when we forget that leadership is fundamentally about service. In the rush to meet deadlines, manage stress, or respond to mounting pressures, we fall back on the need to be the expert—the one with all the answers.

But leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions. It’s about taking a step back, even in the heat of the moment, and leading with curiosity.

When the pressure is at its peak, it can feel impossible to pause. But those are the moments when slowing down is most critical. A thoughtful response, instead of a reactive jab or rushed dismissal, can transform an ordinary interaction into an extraordinary memory.

As Maya Angelou so beautifully said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

The Challenge of Leading Under Pressure

As leaders, it’s easy to forget that our role is to support others in excelling at theirs. Simon Sinek describes this as “taking care of the people in your charge.” He shares a powerful example of how the same employee’s performance can vary dramatically between workplaces where they feel valued versus dismissed. The difference? How they’re treated by their leaders.

The reality, however, is that modern leadership rarely feels as intentional as we’d like. In the whirlwind of responsibilities, even the best leaders can become robotic, falling into old habits and neglecting the needs of those around them. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is vital in these moments, particularly when your mind is racing with pressure.

Reactionary leadership often feels justified—it’s the deadline, the high stakes, the unrelenting demands. Yet, to those we lead, these reactive moments can feel careless. They’ll always hold leaders to a higher standard, and rightly so. Leadership, after all, is about modeling the behavior you want to inspire.

The Journey of Vertical Leadership Development

To navigate the complexities of modern leadership, we must understand where we are on the path to growth. The Vertical Leadership Development framework offers a powerful lens through which to assess our progress.

• Dependent Phase: Leaders in this phase may act out of self-interest (Opportunist) or avoid conflict for the sake of harmony (Diplomat).
• Independent Phase: Here, leaders begin to lean into their expertise (Expert), focus on goals and emotional intelligence (Achiever), or adapt to diverse perspectives and approaches (Individualist).
• Interdependent Phase: At this level, leaders transcend personal and organizational barriers. They see challenges as opportunities (Strategist) and work ethically to make a broader impact (Alchemist).

The key to growth is understanding where you are and creating space to evolve into what’s next. Tools like the Vertical Transformation Cards from My World View can help challenge your perspective and guide your development.

Curiosity as the Foundation of Growth

The end of the year often brings a whirlwind of activity, and it’s easy to let reflection fall by the wayside. But this is precisely the moment to slow down. When your mind is racing, your heart pounding, and assumptions creeping in, take a breath and ask yourself, “How can I best serve in this moment?”

This single question can shift your leadership from transactional to transformational.

As Stephen Covey reminds us: “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

Looking Ahead to 2025

What kind of leader do you want to become in 2025? What values will guide you? What questions will help you uncover the answers that truly matter?

Great leaders play the long game. They recognize that leadership isn’t about quick fixes but about building the capacity to serve a greater cause. Take a moment this week to reflect, ask meaningful questions, and embrace curiosity as your compass for growth.

Because in the end, leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to grow, listen, and create space for others to soar.

Jessica Rice is dedicated to helping leaders find and leverage their authentic selves in the workplace, fostering environments where they can thrive and achieve their highest potential.

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About the Author

Jessica Rice is an ICF-certified executive coach dedicated to helping ambitious leaders authentically rise to thought leadership. With a passion for empowering individuals and fostering innovation, Jessica provides insights and strategies for leaders to thrive in their unique journeys.

With over 15 years of experience in design and engineering, Jessica has become an expert in leadership transformation and growth strategies. She has worked with professionals from leading companies such as PayPal, Airbnb, Roku, Uber, Clearway, Kyndryl, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Booz Allen, and major government agencies.

For more content, follow her on LinkedIn and listen to her podcast, The Hello You Show, on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Google and more.