The Role of Curiosity and Humility in My Vision of Leadership

As a leader with over 26 years of experience in the organizational field, I have come to understand that effective leadership is not solely about managing teams or making strategic decisions in a dynamic work environment. It goes much deeper. It requires cultivating human skills that enhance the impact we have on the people and organizations we lead. From my perspective, two of these essential skills are curiosity and humility, qualities I consider key to innovating, connecting, and adapting to the challenges we face every day.

Curiosity: The Key That Drives Innovation

For me, curiosity has been an indispensable tool throughout my career. I firmly believe that questioning the status quo is the first step toward innovation. Questions like "How can we do it better?" or "What can we learn from this experience?" have allowed me not only to discover new ideas but also to inspire teams with an open mindset focused on continuous learning. Moreover, this curiosity helps me stay up to date with market trends and anticipate changes in customer needs and competitive movements.

Humility: The Foundation for Leading with Empathy and Connection

Humility, on the other hand, has taught me the value of recognizing that I do not have all the answers. I believe that a humble leader is one who is willing to listen, learn, and grow through the perspectives of others. By leading with empathy, I have found that environments of trust and collaboration are built, where teams feel valued and engaged. For me, admitting mistakes or accepting that there is always more to learn is not a sign of weakness but a strength that connects and motivates.

How I Have Integrated Curiosity and Humility into My Leadership

Throughout my career, I have adopted practices that reinforce these qualities and have enabled me to lead more effectively. Some of these strategies include:

1. Asking Open-Ended Questions. I always aim to challenge assumptions and foster critical thinking in my environment. I ask questions like "What can we do differently to achieve better results?"

2. Active Listening. I dedicate time to understanding the perspectives of the teams I collaborate with. I believe every learning idea can be an opportunity for growth.

3. Embracing Mistakes as Learning Experiences. I turn challenges into valuable experiences, always asking myself, "What can we learn from this situation?"

4. Valuing Diversity of Ideas. I believe in surrounding myself with people from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. These perspectives have helped me see the bigger picture from angles I had not previously considered.

5. Recognizing the Efforts of Others. I make a point to appreciate and celebrate the contributions of those who work with me because I know success is a shared effort.

Curiosity and Humility: An Essential Balance

I have found that curiosity and humility are a powerful balance. While curiosity drives me to explore new possibilities, humility reminds me to stay connected to people and remain open to change. Together, these qualities have not only helped me grow as a leader but also strengthened the work environments I have collaborated in, allowing innovation and collaboration to flourish.

For me, leadership is a constant evolution. It is about connecting, learning, and growing alongside teams. Cultivating curiosity and humility has not only allowed me to position myself as a change agent but also to inspire those around me to reach their full potential.