The Power of Curiosity in Career Growth
Did you know curiosity boosts productivity, resilience, and energy? I didn’t—until I explored it as a core part of emotional intelligence.
Many of us dismiss curiosity as just a feeling, but it’s also a strategy—one that transforms challenges, decisions, and setbacks into opportunities.
The Emotional Power of Curiosity
When Steve Jobs passed away, his final words were:
“Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.”
His sister later said this reflected his capacity for wonderment.
Jobs’ final act wasn’t fear—it was curiosity.
But curiosity isn’t reserved for deathbed moments or genius minds—it’s a skill you can practice every day in your career.
When you do, it reframes challenges into opportunities, builds resilience, and unlocks energy for fresh paths and lifelong learning.
1. Curiosity Can Make You More Productive
The Challenge:
Haruki Murakami wrote the first draft of Hear the Wind Sing—and hated it.
The Shift to Curiosity:
Instead of walking away, he asked himself:
“What if I change the way I write?”
He rewrote the novel in English (his second language) using simpler sentences.
The result? He fell in love with the process again.
Try the ‘What If’ Reframe:
When frustration strikes, ask yourself:
➜ What if I gamify this task?
➜ What if I change my approach?
Curiosity turns “stuck” into “strategic.”
2. Curiosity Can Boost Your Resilience
The Challenge:
Writing, Elizabeth Gilbert says, is full of false starts and disasters.
The Curious Shift:
Instead of seeing failure as a dead end, she reframed it:
“What if this isn’t a disaster? What if it’s a puzzle?”
During writer’s block, she wrote letters to her curiosity, asking:
➜ “What do you need me to see right now?”
➜ “What haven’t I explored yet?”
Try the Curiosity Reframe:
When challenges hit, ask:
➜ What’s interesting about this?
➜ What can I learn from it?
Curiosity shifts your focus from fear to possibility.
How Curiosity Changes the Game
Curiosity doesn’t just tackle challenges—it transforms how you see them.
Research shows curiosity:
➜ Boosts energy by 20%—more than reflecting on a happy moment.
➜ Strengthens resilience by turning fear into exploration.
➜ Makes you less defensive in stressful situations—critical for leaders navigating tough discussions.
The secret isn’t avoiding problems. It’s meeting them with curiosity to unlock solutions.
What’s Next for You?
What’s one challenge you’re facing right now?
How can you reframe it through the lens of curiosity?
