Heart of Modern Leadership
– Curiosity, Connection & Courage
Creating Impactful Leadership in an Interconnected World
When I reflect on what truly shapes modern leadership, three words come to mind: curiosity, connection, and courage. These aren’t glossy buzzwords; they are the pillars of high-performing, thriving teams – and, as my recent conversation with Gareth Weir, Deputy Ambassador in Seoul, proved, they are also the forces needed to tackle the complexity of today’s workplaces.
Curiosity: The Strategic Advantage We’re Overlooking
How often do we talk about curiosity as a business asset? Not nearly enough. Curiosity isn’t just about asking questions for the sake of it; it’s about delving deep, challenging assumptions, and creating cultures where it’s safe – and expected – to not know everything.
Consider the power in regularly asking the team “What might I be missing?” or, as Gareth described, shadowing others to see the world through someone else’s eyes. When was the last time you invested the time to really listen to what isn’t being said, or to notice who isn’t in the room? Active, strategic listening – not simply hearing what’s voiced, but seeking out the unsaid, the unseen, the unexplored – this is what puts you ahead.
If you’re serious about leadership, make curiosity a daily habit. Walk the floor. Shadow a colleague in a different department. Join a meeting as an observer, not a speaker. Keep peeling back the layers with multiple ‘whys’, and remember: the best solutions often sit just below the surface of your initial assumptions.
Connection: Beyond Transactional Relationships
If curiosity gets us started, connection is what takes us further. Organisational culture isn’t just the sum of individual skills – it’s built on how we relate to one another. I’ve seen, both in my work and this conversation, how power dynamics and hierarchies shape behaviour, sometimes blocking the sharing of great ideas and stopping people from feeling like they belong.
The challenge? Too many leaders hold onto authority and control, convinced that’s what success looks like. In fact, the leaders and managers who drive real performance set the tone by inviting others in – openly showing vulnerability and intentionally building trust. People will forget what you say, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.
Look around: does your team feel able to speak up, challenge you, or admit uncertainty? Are different perspectives truly valued, or is everyone expected to fit in? Building strong connections is not about being everyone’s friend, but about cultivating an environment where psychological safety is part of the day-to-day – lived in everything we do.
Courage: Challenging Assumptions and Making Hard Calls
Let’s be honest: leadership without courage is just management by numbers. Real courage in the workplace is about challenging assumptions, especially your own. In a world drowning in curated feeds and conflicting ‘truths’, clarity and wisdom come from holding uncertainty and multiple perspectives in tension, not rushing to answers.
The leaders I admire most are those who create space for real debate – who encourage opposition and make it clear that robust challenge is not just accepted, but welcomed. As one practical approach, take a leaf from Gareth’s experience and introduce mechanisms like ‘shadow boards’ or red teams to challenge the status quo. And when the decision is made? Commit to it fully and expect the same from your team. Maximum challenge, followed by maximum loyalty.
A Final Thought: What Does This Mean for You?
Ask yourself:
- Am I actively curious about my team, my organisation, and the world?
- Does every person on my team feel seen, heard, and able to speak honestly?
- Am I brave enough to challenge assumptions and seek clarity, even when it’s uncomfortable?
If you want to create a culture where people thrive, you don’t need to have all the answers – but you do need to create the space where the right questions get asked. Start there. The rest will follow.
Want to explore this further? Let’s talk. This is the conversation we all need to be having.
Download Insight to Action: Lead Like a Diplomat: Practical Lessons in Curiosity, Connection & Courage
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