It’s easy to lead with all manner of presumptions, assumptions and pre-conceived ideas. Lazy, in fact. But there’s a huge price to pay. If we’ve already made up our minds, we leave little room for encountering nuggets of wisdom and new ideas which present opportunities to learn.

The alternative is to lead with curiosity. Curious people ask questions and then they actively to the response. It seems easy. In reality it’s hard at first. It involves using our brains more consciously; pausing, stepping back, embracing a new attitude.

I think of the times I haven’t led with curiosity. Many times it has been painful, causing misunderstandings and the proverbial egg on face. But then I think of times where I have been decidedly curious. Relationships have deepened, compassion has grown and understanding acquired.