Curiosity: The Superpower Driving Early Stage Success
by Micaela Kamp
Building a company is an exercise in navigating the unknown. Faced with decisions that often have no clear answers, the ability to move forward often depends on one thing: a willingness to stay curious.
Curiosity is the spark that drives successful founders to dig deeper, see challenges in a new light, uncover insights others overlook, and adapt when the unexpected happens. I know from working with our portfolio that the best founders aren’t just problem-solvers. They’re explorers. And exploration starts with a simple yet powerful question: “What if?”
Why Curiosity Matters
Curiosity opens the door to deeper understanding, more meaningful connections, and better decision-making. When adopting this powerful mindset, we see our best founders reap the rewards.
1. Curiosity Unlocks Innovation
Some of the best innovations don’t come from having the “right” answer but from asking the right questions. A curious mindset pushes you to explore solutions that others might overlook. Instead of settling for the first answer, you dive deeper to explore “what could be” and seeking out the unconventional path could become a competitive advantage.
2. Curiosity Builds Stronger Teams
Being curious about your team - what motivates them, what they’re excited about - makes you a better leader. When you ask for your team’s input or encourage them to challenge the way things are done, you create a culture where everyone feels like they can contribute. That’s when true magic happens..
3. Curiosity Deepens Customer Connections
Want to really understand your customers? Being curious will compel you to ask more questions: “Why do they feel this way? What unspoken needs can we meet with our product?” Digging deeper than surface-level feedback helps you create something that truly resonates. Not just another product or tool, but a solution they can’t live without.
4. Curiosity Helps Navigate Change
Things rarely go exactly as planned and change is inevitable. Curiosity flips the script. It helps reframe unexpected changes as opportunities. Instead of focusing on what happened, you can seek insights that inform your next move by asking: “What can I learn from this?” That simple shift can make all the difference.
How to Stay Curious
Curiosity isn’t just a mindset change, it’s a habit. For curiosity to be impactful, it requires intentional effort to keep questioning and learning. The good news is you can incorporate practices into your daily work that cultivates curiosity.
Here’s some tips to help you and your team get better at building the habit of being curious:
Normalize Not Knowing
Staying curious means acknowledging that there’s always more to learn. Whether it’s about market, product, or team, the more questions you ask, the more you’ll discover. Encourage everyone to start with the question, “What don’t I know yet?” and go from there.
Make Curiosity Contagious
Make it clear that questions are just as valuable as answers. Model curiosity in your leadership style and encourage it in your team. When curiosity becomes a shared value, you’ll be amazed at what your team can achieve.
Turn Questions Into Action
Curiosity is most powerful when paired with action. If you’re curious about something, test it. Follow through with experiments, conversations, or changes. This will serve as a starting point for moving your business forward.
Staying Curious is a Superpower
Curiosity can be the difference between surviving and thriving. The ability to ask questions, seek out unexpected answers, and stay open to learning is what sets great founders apart.
So, the next time you’re faced with a tough decision, a stalled idea, or a moment of doubt, pause and ask yourself, “What if?” This simple act will continue to nurture curiosity for yourself, inspire it in your team, and be the key to unlocking your next big breakthrough.
Stay curious, and you’ll find your way.