The Truth about Curiosity (or how getting stupid is really smart)

POSTED: 03-27-2015 IN: Uncategorized

Thomas Hobbes said, “Curiosity is the lust of the mind.” I am a sucker for curiosity and a firm believer that knowledge is power. Curiosity is a vital element in any hunt. Digging in and figuring out the “why” behind a person’s actions or reactions will help you be a better hunter. It will enable you to get closer to the things you want by helping others do the same.

Get stupid.*

(*Do not take offense, I know it’s a “bad” word, but it works here!)

The first step in getting curious is accepting that you don’t already know the answer. Let go of your preconceptions! I was recently negotiating a deal with a prospective employee and had put together what I considered a fair offer with terms that met both of our needs. I was convinced it was only a matter of her saying “yes.” When I received her response, I was truly shocked. It wasn’t just the refusal, but an underlying note of hostility I just could not decipher.

Get hungry.

The second thing you need to know about curiosity (here’s the lust) is that you have to want to know the real answer. And I really wanted (needed!) to know. As it turns out, I had missed a vital element of her needs by assuming that I knew the answers. So I went back through my notes, through our various email exchanges to see what I had missed. I asked her some direct questions to get to the core of the problem.

Get Real.

The last thing you need to know about getting curious is that it does you no good if you cannot apply it to a real situation. When I chose to dig deep, my curiosity and caring came through to the candidate. I took that information and was able to make a new offer and ultimately add another strong, smart member to my team.

By holding back my contention and putting curiosity front and center, I was able to accomplish my goal. It pays to be curious! So get out and start asking questions about the things you want to know. Curiosity is a self-fulfilling prophecy; once you get curious, you will be driven to find the answers. And get that much closer to hitting your targets!

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