Published in November 2023, Scott Shigeoka’s Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World offers a compelling argument for the transformative power of curiosity, not just for personal growth but also for leadership and societal change. Shigeoka’s insights resonate deeply with leaders who strive to foster innovation, inclusion, and resilience in their organizations. Our exploration today will focus on key takeaways from Seek and how they can empower leaders at all levels.
The Foundation of Seeking: A Leader’s Mindset
Shigeoka establishes that curiosity isn't a passive trait but an active pursuit—a "seeking" mindset. This is crucial for leaders. Instead of accepting the status quo, seeking leaders actively question, explore, and strive to understand the underlying “why.” This resonates with Simon Sinek's Start With Why, but Shigeoka provides a practical framework for embodying that "why" through curiosity. A leader who embodies "seeking" creates a culture where inquiry is valued, not suppressed.
Asking Powerful Questions: A Leader’s Tool for Discovery
Seek emphasizes the importance of asking powerful questions. For leaders, this translates into more than just seeking information. It’s about fostering a culture of inquiry within their teams. Shigeoka offers practical guidance on formulating questions that spark deeper thinking and uncover hidden assumptions. This approach aligns with John C. Maxwell’s emphasis on asking the right questions to unlock potential.
Leaders who master the art of questioning can:
Uncover hidden challenges: By asking probing questions, leaders can identify underlying issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Encourage diverse perspectives: Open-ended questions encourage team members to share their unique insights and perspectives.
Drive innovation: Questions that challenge the status quo can spark new ideas and drive innovation.
Embracing Discomfort: A Leader’s Path to Growth
Shigeoka highlights that true curiosity often requires stepping outside of our comfort zones. This is especially true for leaders. Embracing discomfort means being willing to:
Challenge our own assumptions: Leaders must be willing to question their own beliefs and biases.
Admit what we don’t know: It takes courage for a leader to admit they don’t have all the answers. But doing so creates space for learning and growth.
Take risks and experiment: Curiosity often leads to uncharted territory. Leaders must be willing to take calculated risks and experiment with new approaches.
This echoes the sentiment that failure is a stepping stone to success. By embracing discomfort, leaders model a growth mindset for their teams, encouraging them to take risks and learn from their mistakes.
Cultivating a Curious Culture: A Leader’s Responsibility
Seek underscores that curiosity is contagious. Leaders play a crucial role in cultivating a curious culture within their organizations. Shigeoka offers practical strategies for fostering this environment:
Creating psychological safety: Team members need to feel safe to ask questions, express dissenting opinions, and experiment without fear of judgment.
Celebrating learning and discovery: Leaders should recognize and reward curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.
Providing opportunities for exploration: Leaders can create opportunities for their teams to explore new ideas, attend workshops, or engage in cross-functional projects.
By prioritizing curiosity, leaders can create a more engaged, innovative, and adaptable workforce.
Curiosity and Connection: A Leader’s Key to Engagement
Shigeoka emphasizes the link between curiosity and human connection. When leaders demonstrate genuine curiosity about their team members—their thoughts, experiences, and aspirations—it fosters trust and strengthens relationships. This aligns with the principle of servant leadership, where leaders prioritize the needs and growth of their team. By being genuinely interested in their people, leaders create a more engaged and motivated workforce.
Leading with Seek: A Transformative Approach
Seek provides a powerful framework for understanding and cultivating curiosity. For leaders, this translates into a more effective approach to leading, innovating, and building strong teams. By embracing the principles outlined in the book, leaders can create a culture where curiosity thrives, driving growth, innovation, and positive change.
Summary and Review of the Book
Scott Shigeoka's Seek is a practical guide to understanding and cultivating curiosity. He argues that curiosity is not merely a personality trait but a skill that can be developed to enhance our lives and contribute positively to the world. Shigeoka presents a framework for understanding and practicing curiosity, drawing on research in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science. He emphasizes the importance of asking open-ended questions, embracing discomfort, and cultivating a growth mindset.
The book is divided into four parts, each delving into a unique dimension of curiosity. Shigeoka introduces readers to the “Four Modes of Curiosity”, offering practical frameworks and reflective exercises to deepen one’s understanding of the self and others.
Shigeoka’s prose is both accessible and thought-provoking. He balances storytelling with research, making Seek a compelling read for leaders at all levels. The book’s exercises and reflective prompts are particularly useful for readers looking to translate concepts into actionable strategies.
However, one of the book’s strengths — its broad applicability — may also be seen as a limitation for those seeking deeply technical or industry-specific advice. Nonetheless, its universal principles make it a valuable addition to any leader’s library.
Relevance to Leadership
Seek offers valuable insights for leaders seeking to foster innovation and engagement within their teams. By encouraging a culture of curiosity, leaders can empower their team members to think creatively, solve problems effectively, and contribute meaningfully to the organization's success. The book's emphasis on asking powerful questions and embracing diverse perspectives aligns perfectly with the principles of effective leadership.
About the Author
Scott Shigeoka, a celebrated thought leader and speaker, is recognized for his work in storytelling, empathy, and innovation. With a background spanning design, social impact, and community building, Shigeoka merges personal anecdotes with professional expertise to create a guidebook for harnessing curiosity as a force for good. His diverse career journey and global experiences inform his holistic approach to leadership and interpersonal connection. He has worked with organizations such as Google, IDEO, and Stanford University to help individuals and teams cultivate curiosity and build stronger relationships.
Conclusion
Scott Shigeoka’s Seek is an inspiring call to action for leaders to adopt curiosity as a transformative force. By practicing the Four Modes of Curiosity, leaders can navigate complexity with confidence, cultivate innovation, and forge deeper connections.
Whether you’re an executive, a manager, or an emerging leader, Seek provides an informative guide to harnessing curiosity for personal growth and organizational success.
Inspiring Words from Great Leaders
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." ~ Albert Einstein
"Curiosity breeds courage, and courage builds leaders." ~ Simon Sinek, Leadership Expert
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” ~ Plutarch, Ancient Greek Biographer and Essayist
“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” ~ Dorothy Parker, American Author
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." ~ Walt Disney, Legendary American Animator
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