Get Curious: How to Cultivate an Underrated Career Skill

Some of the most capable professionals I’ve worked with don’t stand out because they’re the loudest in the room or the most technically skilled. Instead, they stand out because they are relentlessly curious. They ask questions, probe, and explore. And in doing so, they demonstrate intelligence, relevance, confidence, and adaptability.

Curiosity tends to be an underrated skill in the workplace, often overshadowed by more visible traits like decisiveness or efficiency. But curiosity is the quiet engine behind creative thinking, resilience, anticipating needs, and authentic leadership. It allows you to connect the dots others miss, to see change not as a threat but as an opportunity, and to build a career that’s both fulfilling and sustainable.

Why Curiosity Matters More Than Ever

In our modern working world, priorities and roles evolve continuously, and curiosity helps you adapt productively. It’s what prompts you to ask, “What else could this mean?” when a project doesn’t go as expected, or “What don’t I know yet?” when faced with a problem. It’s a mindset that challenges complacency and inspires forward movement.

Professionally, curiosity shows up in how you listen in meetings, how you ask follow-up questions, how you seek feedback, and how you explore alternative perspectives. It’s the difference between simply executing a task and digging deeper to understand the WHY behind it. And (bonus!) that understanding often unlocks opportunities and advantages others overlook.

I’ve seen clients land unexpected promotions not because they had the biggest or most exciting achievements, but because they regularly asked questions that demonstrated authentic curiosity. They connected ideas across departments, saw needs emerging before they were fully voiced, and positioned themselves as proactive executive-level thinkers rather than reactive doers.

Cultivating Curiosity at Work

Thankfully, curiosity can be developed. If it doesn’t come naturally to you, or if it’s been dulled by the monotony of day-to-day routines, there are several ways to sharpen your skills.

1. Ask better questions.

Instead of focusing on surface-level, needs-based questions (like “What’s the deadline?”) focus on deeper, root-cause questions (like “What problem are we really trying to solve?”). Questions that seek to understand intention and context spark more interesting and useful conversations.

2. Seek unfamiliar perspectives.

Challenge yourself to learn how other departments operate, how your industry is shifting, or how competitors think. Subscribe to newsletters outside your field. Follow someone on LinkedIn who challenges your viewpoint. Don’t surround yourself with what’s comfortable. When everyone agrees, you naturally become less curious.

3. Slow down.

Busyness is the biggest enemy of curiosity. When your calendar is jam packed, there’s no mental room to wonder. Protect white space in your day, even if it’s just a few minutes, to reflect on your priorities or explore an idea without a to-do list attached.

4. Reflect intentionally.

After completing major projects or important conversations, ask yourself: “What did I learn? What surprised me? What went well? What would I do differently next time?” These questions don’t just help you identify and solidify lessons; they prime your brain to stay curious in the future as well.

5. Model curiosity in your team.

If you’re in a leadership role, your attitude toward questions sets the tone for others. Reward thoughtful inquiry. Admit when you don’t know something and create room for exploration. Curiosity is contagious, but only in safe environments.

One of the most honest things you can do at work is admit you don’t know something, but that you’re interested in finding out. That’s not a weakness. It’s a sign of someone who’s invested and thoughtful. Reputations are built not just on competence, but on insight and interest.

Curiosity invites you to keep learning even when things are going well. It opens doors where others see walls. And over time, it positions you as someone who doesn’t just do the job—you explore what’s possible.

In my experience training professionals across industries, those who cultivate curiosity are much more capable of staying engaged, energized, and prepared for what’s next—whatever that may be!

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