How to Speak Human

CuriosityThe insatiable hunger of a curious mind

Was it the cover of this book that seduced you? The witty title, unexpected and exuding a certain look-twice irony? A smirk amidst shelves stuffed with serious business.

Yes, indeed! It was curiosity that drew your attention and compelled you to drag this book from the shelf. The irrepressible desire to acquire new knowledge or learn new skills.

Curiosity, the drive to explore, investigate, innovate, helped our species develop and evolve — pushed us to greatness. Driven by curiosity, we climbed the highest peaks and dived to the deepest depths. We braved world-edges and sea monsters to sail around the world, discovering new continents filled with exotic oddities.

Curiosity prompted us to dress in bulky white suits and strap ourselves into too-thin tin space shuttles stuffed with enough explosives to quite literally blow ourselves to the moon. Curiosity helped us make fire, then electricity. Curiosity gave us bacon on pancakes, all smothered in maple syrup. Perhaps not always in our best interests, but the outcomes were almost always interesting.

More importantly, it’s every bit as relevant and influential at work. Curiosity draws our attention and primes us to learn. It has the power to shift mindsets. It can even change the relationships we have with others.

Picture the typical organisation-led leadership program. Some one spots a capability gap in their mid-tier managers. The need for an organisation-wide leadership program ...