A Student of Leadership - Where Great Leaders are Made, One Habit at a Time!

Hello, and welcome to A Student of Leadership. The podcast that uncovers the secrets of exceptional leaders. Join host Rob Adams as he explores the critical habits and practices that define leadership greatness. One transformative episode at a time. From cultivating a compelling vision to embodying courage, empathy, accountability, and resilience, you'll gain the tools and insights to elevate your leadership impact no matter where you are on your journey.

Whether you're a seasoned executive or stepping into your first leadership role, each conversation will inspire and equip you to become the leader you were always meant to be. Let's dive in.

Hey, everyone. Welcome back to A Student of Leadership, where great leaders are made one habit at a time. I'm Rob Adams, and today we're exploring a leadership trait that fuels innovation, growth, and connection. We're talking about curiosity. Curiosity is the desire to learn, to ask questions, and to seek understanding.

It's about approaching challenges and opportunities with an open mind and eagerness to discover new possibilities. For leaders, curiosity drives better decision making, fosters innovation, and strengthens relationships by showing genuine interest in others. In this episode, we'll delve into the power of curiosity, share an inspiring leadership story, and provide practical steps to cultivate curiosity in your leadership journey. One inspiring example of curiosity in leadership comes from Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. Blakely's curiosity drove her to question conventional wisdom in the fashion and hosiery industry early in her entrepreneurial journey.

She constantly asked why does this product have to be this way, and how can I improve it? By challenging norms and seeking creative solutions she developed a product that revolutionized the industry, making Spanx a household name. Her curiosity didn't just lead to a breakthrough idea, it created a culture of innovation within our own company. Blakely's story reminds us that curiosity isn't just about asking questions, it's about having the courage to act on what you discover. Albert Einstein famously said, I have no special talents, I'm only passionately curious.

This quote highlights that curiosity is not a minor trait, it's the foundation of creativity and discovery even for some of the greatest minds in history. Now let's reflect on the following. When did you last approach a challenge with genuine curiosity instead of jumping to conclusions? How often do you ask open ended questions to learn more from your team or peers? What areas of your leadership could benefit from a more curious mindset?

Research from Harvard Business Review shows that curiosity leads to better team performance and decision making. Organizations with curious leaders foster environments of learning and collaboration where employees feel empowered to explore new ideas and take calculated risks. Here are some practical tips and an action challenge. Ask why, ask what if, and how questions. These types of questions open doors to deeper understanding and creative solutions.

Use them frequently in problem solving and brainstorming sessions. I'd also like to see you encourage diverse perspectives. Invite input from team members with different backgrounds and experiences. Their insights can spark new ideas and challenge your own assumptions. And finally, embrace learning mindset, seek opportunities for growth, whether it's reading, attending workshops, or simply listening more tentatively to your team, or maybe even this podcast.

Model curiosity by sharing what you're learning with others. Now your action challenge for this week is to identify your organization's recurring problem or challenge. Approach it with curiosity by asking, why does this happen? What if we tried something different? How can we improve?

Share your discoveries and potential solutions with your team. Curiosity is the spark that ignites innovation and growth, and by staying curious, you can uncover new opportunities, strengthen relationships, and inspire creativity with your team. As you work on this week's action challenge, remember that every question you ask is a step towards better leadership. Next week, we'll explore adaptability, the ability to navigate change and thrive in uncertainty. We'll discuss how to build flexibility into your leadership approach to stay effective in a rapidly evolving world.

So until next time, keep practicing the habits that make great leaders, and remember great leaders are made one habit at a time. See you next time on A Student of Leadership. Take care, everyone.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of A Student of Leadership. If you liked what you heard, then be sure to subscribe and share with like minded people. Have a burning question for Rob or a topic you'd love him to discuss on the show? Get in touch on socials. We'd love to hear from you.

We'll see you next time. And remember, great leaders are made one habit at a time.