Fiercely Curious

Calhoun McKinney, Channel Leader 

The first time I heard curiosity talked about as a superpower was from Dr. Steve Robbins at a conference. He has many resources you can engage with to learn even more about the actual science behind the value of curiosity. Since hearing Dr. Robbins, I have applied this “be curious” approach and have experienced a dramatic increase in my ability to overcome barriers, reach major milestones, grow in resiliency, and build stronger relationships. I am still a work in progress by all means, but I do my best to have more question marks in conversations with others. 

I encourage you to have a “Fiercely Curious” mindset in and out of the workplace. Stay Fierce! 

Challenge yourself to learn something new

More often than not, people get few details and little direction when being tasked with projects in the workplace. It is tempting to resort to thinking you aren’t qualified, smart enough, or equipped to move some of them forward. When you stay curious, your mind goes on the hunt for information to help you keep going and #GSD (Get “Stuff” Done 😉).

Overcome barriers

Conflict in (and out of) the workplace is unavoidable. How you navigate that conflict will directly correlate with your success trajectory as a team and even for yourself as an individual. Bringing curiosity into these moments of tension can sound like, “It would be helpful for me if you could go into share more on why you think this is the best path. I want to understand where you are coming from so we can make the best decision to move this project forward.” 

When you know more about someone else’s perception and experience it gives you data you can leverage to work towards a resolution. Maybe that exchange results in you getting information you didn’t have before. It may even totally change the direction of the project. Maybe in hearing their point of view, you realize that they didn’t have all the information about the financial, political, or strategic landscape going on within the organization. Bringing an open mind that stays curious can help you move towards less friction as a team. This approach is extremely helpful in sales roles when you are working with key stakeholders and decision-makers to demonstrate that your offering is the best solution and overcome their objections. Curiosity can help you understand those objections so you can address them.

Fill your tank back up

We all have those days when your inner monologue about yourself is completely negative. These are the moments when resorting to curiosity is critical. It’s important to ask yourself to really look for the evidence to support whatever broad statements you are making. Are you really a failure, or did you just not handle one conversation in the best way you could have? Are you not qualified to be here, or was this just your first time ever doing that type of ask, and you are learning? Was the meeting terrible, or are you just magnifying the one piece of critical feedback that was given? Leveraging curiosity to stop negative thoughts and qualify them can help you fill your tank back up to keep going so you can brush off that bad day.  

Build stronger relationships

The greatest gift curiosity has to offer is stronger relationships with others. When we bring curiosity to our conversations and interactions in the workplace, in essence, we are allowing our minds to stay open to any possibility. When you reflect on a conversation that didn’t go well, you may realize you need to owe someone an apology. When you ask for others to share their perspective, you give people the opportunity to be heard. When you give people the opportunity to be heard, it gives you an opportunity to express empathy in response—even if you don’t agree. And when we are “Fiercely Curious,” we empower ourselves and those around us to reach even greater heights together. 

Bio

Calhoun has spent her 10 years in the channel advancing several solutions, including cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, and, most recently, data and AI. Within the Channel, she has served as a leader and key contributor for two historic industry mergers, developing multiple CRN-designated 5 Star programs and new innovative partner offerings and reaching record revenue and share targets. Outside of work, she is passionate about fundraising for charitable organizations that support vulnerable children. On the weekends, you will find her outside with her husband, Daniel, playing with their Fox Red Labrador Retriever, Sully.