By Tony Vengrove
In the 7 C’s of Creative Leadership, curiosity is a key attribute for cultivating creativity and imagination. “Why?” and “Why not?” are the kinds of questions to accomplish this. These simple questions increase your rational and emotional intelligence of any challenge and will always point you in the right direction. Curiosity is the engine that drives us toward the Truth; and when we objectively fully comprehend an opportunity then, and only then, will we develop the solutions that resonate and engage the curiosity of our target consumers.
Curiosity also leads to empathy. It allows us to appreciate what it feels like to walk in our customers’ shoes. Great advertising, design and innovation, all evoke empathy re the consumer experience in a fresh, original way. This is why breakthrough creative work elicits responses such as, “It’s like they know exactly who I am,” or “This is precisely how I feel.”
Nowadays we’re all racing at breakneck speed. Unfortunately, there’s an inverse relationship between speed and curiosity. The faster you move, the more difficult it is to develop a deep understanding. Curiosity requires time for immersion and conversation. Creative leaders must factor this into projects; teams must have the space to search for hidden Truths.
This will allow our imaginations to run wild!
Miles Finch Innovation helps companies navigate the messy territory of corporate innovation. We’re strategic thinking partners who can help you get unstuck and identify creative solutions to your toughest challenges. We also love to train and speak on the subject of Creative Leadership. Email us or call us at 860-799-7505 to learn how we can help you unlock the creative potential of your employees.
Comments
3 responses to “On Curiosity”
Thanks, Steve. I agree with you. The more someone relies on short-cuts, the more they rely on luck and “winging it.” And, we all know how that turns out.
I think you’re right, Tony. Wisdom and deep insights happen because of tireless curiosity, empathy and engaging with our clients. There really are no short-cuts.
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