How to Foster a Culture of Inquiry

The Power of a Beginner's Mindset in a Fast-Paced World We all realize that the knowledge and expertise we hold dear today may become obsolete tomorrow. I've found embracing a beginner's mindset increasingly valuable in both personal growth and professional development. A beginner's mindset urges us to remain curious and open, much like a novice stepping into a new field, eager to soak in every bit of knowledge. But how do we cultivate this mindset, especially when we're used to being the expert in the room? ⁉ Force Yourself into Situations Where You're Not the Expert Seek out environments where your expertise is not at the forefront. Already this year, I've joined a Mastermind group, participated in startup events, and engaged with our Fractional CMO community to push myself into places where boasting takes a back seat to curiosity. The focus shifts from showcasing what you know to expanding your understanding and perspective. 🤔 Be Incessantly Curious Curiosity is the fuel for learning. Asking questions not only opens doors to new knowledge but also encourages those around us to adopt a similar approach to learning and exploration. It's a habit that fosters an environment of continuous learning and growth. As a natural extrovert, I consciously try to hang back and ask questions vs assuming I know the answer. The results have been surprising. 🔭 Encourage a Culture of Inquiry and Experimentation Those who experiment (vs know the answer) are the ones who lead the way in discovering new paths to success. In interviews, team meetings, and everyday interactions, encourage the asking of questions. Seek to understand the 'why' behind processes and decisions. This culture of inquiry is pivotal for innovation. I have changed the questions I ask during interviews to look for experimenters. 💡 Accept the Fluidity of Knowledge What we know to be true today may not hold tomorrow. Accepting that knowledge is fluid and that change is constant allows us to remain agile and adaptable. It prepares us to pivot when necessary and to embrace new opportunities with enthusiasm rather than reluctance. I'm always looking for what is changing, and what assumptions I should be questioning. What are you doing today to keep your beginner's mindset? #growthmindset #professionaldevelopment #curiousity #ceomindset

I was fortunate to be a founding member of the innovation lab at PayPal and we learnt a lot along the way! most importantly that cultivating innovation is essential to navigating the digital landscape. It requires a foundational shift in our corporate culture. Here are some ways to build and nurture a workplace that drives digital transformation: - Encourage Curiosity: Promote an environment where questioning and exploring are valued. Innovation begins with curiosity. - Invest in Resources: Equip your teams with the necessary tools and continuous learning opportunities to turn innovative ideas into reality. - Normalize Risk-Taking: Support a culture where calculated risks are encouraged, and learning from failures is as celebrated as achieving success. - Enhance Collaboration: Encourage diverse teams to work together, leveraging different perspectives to ignite creative solutions. - Demonstrate Commitment: As leaders, our actions must reflect our innovative values—showing commitment through active participation and support. - Acknowledge Creativity: Regularly recognize and reward creative efforts to motivate sustained innovation across the organization. - Build Networks: Stay engaged with industry leaders and outside thinkers to bring fresh insights and practices into our fold. Fostering a culture of innovation is a commitment to continuous growth and adaptability. #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #BusinessCulture #Leadership #Growth

Most managers are bad at a critical part of their job... b/c most probably don't think it's their job. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭! It's something I frequently think about. And I hope anyone who has ever worked for me feels this. Here are some of the things I do to help develop my team. 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 When someone joins the team, I send a Welcome Survey that covers work styles, professional development & personal interests. Questions include:  – What impact do you want to have at Crosschq? – What are you most excited to learn in your new role? – What are your career goals in the next 5 to 10 years? – List 3-5 professional skills that you'd like to develop in the next year. – What would make this job especially meaningful and enjoyable? DM me for my full survey. 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤-𝐈𝐧𝐬 Different than a weekly 1:1, in this meeting, we take a step back to assess how things are going. I'll often pull up the welcome survey to guide the conversation, but it's a chance to ensure:  – They are getting what they need out of the job – The company is getting what it needs from them I'm asking questions like:  – Do you know what is expected of you? – Do you have what you need to be successful?  – Do you feel like your work is having an impact?  – Are you enjoying your work and the people you work with?  – Do you feel like you have the opportunity to do your best work? Then, we spend a chunk of time on career pathing so they know what’s needed to move to the next level. 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 Any good manager knows they must give frequent feedback, but there's still value in more formal performance reviews. Feedback is something I try to weave into the culture by training my team on how to give & receive feedback. Personally, it's something I'm still working on. 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 One of the most important things a leader must do is intentionally create their team culture. I believe this is separate (but strongly aligned with) the company culture. The best way to do that: values & operating principles. One of the core principles I always set is continuous learning and a growth mindset. Other things I think about for good career development: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Open comm ensures everyone feels comfortable discussing their aspirations, concerns & feedback. 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Involve other stakeholders/depts to ensure that development plans are holistic and integrated into the broader org strategy. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 Eveyrone is unique. Personalize the plan to suit their specific needs & aspirations. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 Be open about the business's needs and how they align with individual growth paths, so expectations are clear on both sides. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 Allow everyone the autonomy to make decisions regarding their career path, providing guidance and support as needed. What would you add? 

 The CEO's Mandate: Cultivating a Culture of Continuous Learning In today's fast-paced, and always changing business landscape, staying static is no longer an option. As a CEO, one of the most profound impacts we can make is not just driving business results but also shaping the culture within which these results are achieved. Our associates need to be guided to continually learn and stay relevant to compete with their peers in other organizations. One aspect of Loyalty Brand’s culture that stands out as imperative is our commitment to continuous learning. It's not just about attending courses or acquiring certifications. It's about fostering an environment where every challenge is seen as a learning opportunity, every failure as a lesson, and every success as a leap to further knowledge. So, how do I as CEO ensure that this culture touches every corner of our organization? I Lead by Example I immerse myself in new learning experiences and share my insights. I believe my commitment inspires others. When I float a new idea or concept to my team invariably someone says. “I’ve never heard you say that before! Great idea!” or something to that effect. We Collaborate Across All Business Units Open dialogue between all levels management, our Area representatives and franchisees leads to mutual learning. Fresh perspectives can spark innovation.  Invest in Employee Development Whether it's workshops, courses, or mentorship programs we provide avenues for everyone to enhance their skills and knowledge. There is an abundance of free learning opportunities on-line. We encourage our team to share learning opportunities they discover. We Celebrate Curiosity I encourage questions from our staff and franchisees.  Recognize and reward those who go the extra mile in their quest for knowledge.  Feedback is Gold Constructive feedback is a powerful learning tool. Make it routine, make it constructive, and ensure it's taken as an opportunity for growth. As a CEOs, my vision sets the direction, but it's the collective knowledge, curiosity, and passion of our teams that truly drive us forward. By placing continuous learning at the heart of our corporate culture, we don't just prepare our organizations for the future; we also unlock the untapped potential that exists within each member of our workforce. I'd love to hear from fellow leaders: How do you embed continuous learning in your organization's culture? #Leadership #ContinuousLearning #CEOJourney

𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 In our quest for innovation and excellence, the role of a leader transcends beyond merely guiding the team. It's about becoming co-explorers on a journey fraught with challenges and boundless opportunities. Let me share a thought that's been pivotal in my approach to leadership: As leaders, when we openly experiment, embrace our failures as lessons, and show genuine interest in others' ideas, we're not just guiding—we're participating in a shared journey of discovery. Why does this matter? 1. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Innovation doesn't come from playing it safe. It comes from venturing into the unknown, with the courage to test new ideas and the humility to learn from what doesn't work. 2. 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: Every setback is a setup for a comeback. The lessons we learn from our failures are the stepping stones to our greatest successes. They are not to be feared, but embraced. 3. 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬: The magic happens when we genuinely engage with ideas that are not our own. It's about creating a space where every voice is heard and every suggestion is valued. This approach has not only enriched my leadership journey but has also fostered a culture where every member feels like they are a part of something greater than themselves. We are all teachers and students, learning from each other, inspired by the collective wisdom and creativity of the group. No matter your role or industry, I encourage you to embrace this mindset. Let's foster environments where curiosity is the compass that guides us, where we're not afraid to venture into the unknown together. The journey of discovery is infinitely more rewarding when we travel it as a team. Let's discuss! How do you cultivate a culture of curiosity and learning within your teams? What have been your most memorable lessons learned through experimentation and embracing failure? #Leadership #Innovation #Teamwork #LearningFromFailure #CultureOfCuriosity

One of my favorite bosses was wonderfully consistent in checking in with his team. He didn’t always ask questions about a project; instead, he asked how our family was, what was new, etc. My boss was curious and genuinely interested in his team. Everyone knew he cared about them. Because of his caring leadership, our culture was healthy. People loved coming to work. They felt valued; therefore, they were open to sharing ideas and concerns without fear of retribution.  To this day, his leadership style of caring curiosity has stayed with me. Here are some of the things I have learned and continue to bring to my leadership experiences: 🌟 When you’re curious, you are showing a genuine interest in your people. Curiosity is an   intentional effort to understand others-their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. 🌟 Curiosity allows you to step into others’ shoes. As leaders, you can get so caught up in organizational structures, metrics, that you lose sight of what keeps the business going- people. You know that your team members are not just resources; they are human beings with dreams, struggles and aspirations too. 🌟Curiosity also drives innovation. The more questions leaders ask the more they can explore new ideas, hear different perspectives, and open the doors to creativity and solutions.   When leaders look through the lens of caring curiosity, they foster an inclusive and empathetic environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. This is just good leadership. What are some other ways curiosity builds great teams? #leadershipquotes #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #culture #curiosity #caring #innovation

Recently, I have been reflecting on my own growth journey and the organizations I've been fortunate to lead and operate within. And while it’s easy to discard the old age wisdom, I've realized that these "clichés" often hold the keys to building high-performing, people-centric cultures. Here are my top five leadership lessons:    Treat people the way you’d like to be treated  I feel this goes without saying – to create a culture of high performance and critical thinking, you must create an environment where everyone feels valued for the work they do. Think, feel and speak to others the way you would want to be spoken to and treated.    Talk with, not at people  The act of listening to someone in a conversation is often taken for granted. There is a reason for the saying, “small mouth, big ears”. It is always best to avoid misunderstanding and conflict while helping overall performance and engagement.     Invite your team to be part of the solution  It is a lot easier to make a substantive change and bring your team on your journey with you if they feel engaged and see where they fit in and their impact. It’s an easy mistake to feel as though you have to, or are expected to, have all the answers – your people are in the field every day and will more often than not hold the solution. Even if you know the answer, actively engage with people to listen, learn, and when appropriate, teach.    Be humble  Humility isn’t a sign of weakness, but instead, it is a characteristic of strong and effective leaders. Humble leaders create environments where individuals and teams are valued and empowered, innovation is natural, and trust is earned and enforced.    Remain curious  With so much information at our fingertips and change being the new normal, curiosity is extremely valuable. It encourages growth, continued learning, and it helps you and your people adapt more easily, innovate faster, and make more informed decisions.    #LeadershipLessons #CultivatingCulture #LeadershipMatters 

Curiosity isn't just a trait; it's a tool that transforms our approach to active listening. As facilitators and leaders, adopting a curious, inquiry-based mindset is key to unlocking deeper understanding and stronger connections within our teams. It's about shifting from a mindset of responding to one of comprehending. In my experience, the practice of being genuinely curious about others' thoughts and feelings, much like Leslie Knope's character in 'Parks and Recreation,' can significantly enhance the quality of our interactions. It's about diving deep into the essence of what is being communicated, going beyond the surface to understand the underlying emotions and perspectives. Active listening, powered by curiosity, can be compared to gardening. It's about cultivating an environment where patience, attention, and nurturing are paramount. Just as a gardener tends to their plants, a curious listener tends to the thoughts and feelings of their conversational partners, fostering growth and understanding. How do you integrate curiosity into your communication style? Share your experiences of how curiosity has enriched your interactions and led to more effective team dynamics. #Curiosity #ActiveListening #CollaborativeLeadership #FacilitationSkills #EffectiveCommunication #Teamwork #LeadershipDevelopment Christopher Federer Michelle Y. Gilder Diana S. Gats Dennis Howard, PCC Rex Miller Kim Shope