Curiosity is Oxygen to iLeadership
First—An Advisory!
Do you recall the idiotic phrase, kuriosity kills the kat.
Although the phrase has a tail to it—but satisfaction brought it back—that tries to be redeeming, I bet all of us were only fed the first part.
I wish those who so easily served up this poison to youngsters had rather nourished our lives with Einstein’s encouragement to be curious! It certainly worked for him.
Kuriosity only kills the Kat if we live in a place where bullies, dictators, narcissists, sociopaths, the insecure and ignorant reign. I know such people and places… I bet we all do.
So, when anyone suppresses curiosity or any of its kin, such as questioning, inquisitiveness, inquiring, interest, thoughtfulness, eccentricity and unconventionality, know that there is a destructive person and culture present.
Do not tolerate it, no matter who they are!
Curiosity is Oxygen to iLeadership
The opening infographic captures the essence of curiosity.
- We see a youngster teetering on his improvised scaffolding, peering over a fence.
- There are books—reading, the door to ideas, information, and knowledge, to questions and answers.
- What is on the other side? How does it look beyond my space? What may I not see, hear or taste?
- Why is there a fence? Who built it? Is it to keep me in or others out or both?
- Why should we not take it down?
Curiosity is a robust desire to- learn, explore, understand new things, adapt and grow.
Curiosity activates people to:
- Ask questions,
- Seek knowledge,
- Challenge assumptions and prevailing norms,
- Pursue new experiences, and
- Cultivates a willingness to change their position.
Curiosity is a consciousness about ourselves (self-awareness) and the entirety of the world we inhabit, all that is in it, and how we fit therein.
Curiosity is a skill, and as we reiterate so often, a skill is what we become expert at from practicing a thing we have learned and ingested—just like iLeadership itself.
When curiosity has been absorbed it permeates all facets of our lives as it becomes a way of engaging with all things.
Questioning and Thoughtful
Those who have benefitted from the Alpha Programme will recall that almost at the start we face the “why” question, and then we elevate “questioning” to one of the eight Influential Leadership System’s Behavioural Attributes.
We add a further curiosity-associated Attribute, namely “thoughtful”—which in our context means, amongst others, deliberate and reflective thinking through cognitive engagement.
Cultivate and Nurture Curiosity
Curiosity is our oxygen for Leadership, innovation, change for the better and for activating social progress. Where there is oxygen there is life.
Curiosity is within reach of each of us—it is a learned capability, and it becomes a skill through habitual practice.
Be curious. Be better.
Regards,
Colin Donian
Karoo Founder & CEO
Curiosity is Better!
Leadership Note # 2525 | 23.06.25
e: colind@karoo.world
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