The Courage to Stay Curious – Part 1

Welcome to a 3-part journey on curiosity!

Over the next three weeks, we’ll explore why curiosity matters, how it shows up in life and work, and the barriers that can stop us from staying curious. Think of this as your guide to cultivating a curious mindset, one small insight at a time.

Curiosity begins when we pause long enough to look differently at the world around us.

We’ve all heard the saying “curiosity killed the cat.” It’s usually thrown out as a gentle nudge to stop asking questions that feel inconvenient or uncomfortable. Over time, it has almost become a cultural cue to suppress inquisitiveness, as though the simple act of wanting to know more could lead us into dangerous territory. Curiosity hasn’t exactly enjoyed good press through the centuries.

Saint Augustine wrote in Confessions (AD 397) that before creating heaven and earth, God fashioned hell for the inquisitive.

Curiosity Isn't Always Encouraged

Depending on the culture you come from or how you were raised, you may have absorbed the belief that asking questions is intrusive, impolite, or even rebellious. Over time, curiosity can be quietly discouraged.

Yet curiosity, by its very nature, requires us to ask questions; whether directed at others or quietly posed to ourselves. Those internal questions often send us down the path of research, exploration, and discovery as we try to feed an inner hunger for understanding.

Why Curiosity Matters More Than Ever

In a world evolving at a pace futurists describe as “the slowest we will ever see,” curiosity is no longer optional; it is essential.

Staying curious is what keeps us relevant across every facet of society, from how we learn and work to how we connect and adapt.

Curiosity as an Adult Skill (Not a Childhood Phase)

Being an inquisitive, curious adult is a gift. It allows us to keep evolving, remain open, and continue learning. Spend time around children and you’ll see curiosity in its purest form; the endless stream of “why?” and “how?” that would almost drive you crazy, yet it’s how they:

• Make sense of the world

• Build knowledge

• Stretch their imagination

• Keep an open mind

💡Curiosity isn't something we grow out of, it’s something we risk losing if we stop nurturing it.

Curiosity at Work and in Relationships

The same applies to us as adults. To remain relevant in our careers, curiosity is critical. In our social lives, curiosity is one of the most powerful forms of emotional intelligence. Being genuinely curious about others; what shapes them and what makes them tick helps us:

• Ask better questions

• Build deeper connections

• Earn trust

  
  

💡 Curiosity isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to keep learning.

Reflection

Here’s a question to spark your curiosity today:

What’s one thing you could do this week to stay curious in your personal life?

Write it down and take the first step.

Small shifts matter.

Next up: We’ll dive into how curiosity shows up in our personal and professional lives, along with a small shift you can start practicing today.

Until then, stay curious. You might just see your everyday world in a whole new way.

Yours,

Tobi