You’ve heard: “The only constant is change.” While true, I would say that, in today’s world: “The only constant is RAPID change.”

There is no time in history where adaptability has been more important. You either adapt or innovate – or you get left behind.

Also, I believe “embracing change” is simply a cliché that drives us to do nothing. Another overused phrase, “change is about attitude,” also leaves us stranded, as we figure how to change our attitude.

In my keynote presentations, I discuss how CURIOSITY is at the core of any change taking place.

How, you may ask, do I wake up my curiosity?

The answer is fairly simple, but it does take discipline. Curiosity is innate in us. Remember how curious you were as a child? Why, When, and How were part of every phrase you uttered.

Yet, as we mature, we are taught to tone down that curiosity:

“It is not polite to ask.”
“Wait your turn to speak.”
“You will understand this when you are all grown up.”

Unfortunately, these types of phrases have influenced us to tone down our curiosity.

Does wisdom trump creativity? No, I don’t think so.

In fact, early in my career, a manager told me he paid me to DO, not to think!

At another job, my boss grabbed his silver sideburns and told me that, until I had his wisdom, I should stick to doing my work the way I was told!

With these sorts of rebukes, we learn to mind our business – and not step out of line.

But stepping out of line is PRECISELY what you should do!

Curiosity is fun! In the history of humanity, the payoff for curiosity has never been so easy! But being truly curious is not simply about doing some research, challenging the current thinking, or “scratching an itch.”

When you are curious, you need to:

1. Be relentless in your questioning (whether online or in person).
2. Have a completely open mind, so you don’t set out to prove a fact you already decided on, but are earnestly looking for alternatives.
3. LISTEN to your findings!
4. Be able to discern between the easy answer and the hidden one that is preventing you from moving forward.

How does curiosity work in the business world?

Here’s an example: When I arrived as the new CEO & General Manager of the Denver Athletic Club, I soon learned that many club members – avid users of the pool – were unable to swim due to rashes from chemical reactions. Swimmers were leaving our downtown pool and choosing to swim elsewhere.

To me, this was startling news, since it was directly eroding our membership rolls. When inquiring with my staff, I was told that 5% of the population gets rashes in pools. Period. End of discussion.

This sounded plausible, and I could have ended my inquiry then and there. However, I was intrigued why swimmers were getting rashes in OUR pool, but not at the other facilities where they had begun swimming.

So I started asking questions.

The startling answers I received from my employees and pool vendors involved broken pool equipment, “creative” workarounds to achieve healthy ventilation, and even the odd information that homeless people had been using our ventilation ducts to stay warm.

Read my case study to see how asking questions, listening to answers, and implementing appropriate solutions addressed our pool and rash issues – and directly led to increased membership and revenue. Matt, link to the Case Studies page.

I invite you to share your “curiosity at work” story!