The leadership superpowers

A man rode his motorcycle across the border between Germany and Austria every week, carrying two sand-filled bags. The border guard, an older man who was both curious and suspicious, would search both bags each time but never found anything, so he let him through.

This continued for several days until the border guard’s last day before retirement. Once again, the man arrived at the border with both bags filled with sand. The guard asked him:

“Look, man, today is my last day. I know you are smuggling SOMETHING, so please tell me. I won’t bust you. I’m dying of curiosity since I never find anything in the bags.”

The man grins and says:

“I’m smuggling motorcycles.”

Now, here is another funny quip about curiosity:

A man asks the doctor:

“Have you got the results of my tests? I’m dying of curiosity!”

And the doctor replies:

“It’s not just curiosity...”

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the best leaders don’t just rely on their expertise–they are driven by a passion to discover more and improve constantly.

Curiosity and the drive for continuous learning are the superpowers that make them successful in what they do. While these traits complement each other, they serve different purposes and unlock unique advantages. Understanding how they work separately–and together–can lead to breakthrough leadership.

Curiosity is what fuels a leader’s desire to explore. These leaders are driven by the need to understand how things work, from processes to people. Whether it’s dissecting a new business model, figuring out what motivates a colleague, or questioning the reasons behind a company’s success, curious leaders thrive on investigation.

They ask probing questions, make keen observations and dig deep into the mechanics of their surroundings. They want to know how things work, from gadgets to businesses and tech, and the chance to get under the hood and examine the inner workings of anything successful that floats their boat.

This desire for exploration isn’t always linked to immediate action or improvement. Instead, it’s about discovery for the sake of understanding. Curious leaders aren’t just focused on answers—they love the process of uncovering hidden truths. This openness often sparks innovation and helps them forge stronger relationships as they seek to understand different viewpoints and ideas.

Leaders who prioritize self-improvement through continuous learning take a different path. They actively seek opportunities to enhance their abilities, staying alert for new best practices and innovative ways of thinking. These leaders constantly evaluate their performance, identify areas where they need to grow, and seek out mentors or experts who can help sharpen their skills. Continuous learners are driven by an insatiable desire to improve.

While curiosity and continual learning are ways to acquire knowledge, they are different. A leader can be highly curious without necessarily aiming for personal development, just as a continuous learner may focus on improvement without delving into why things work the way they do. Curiosity doesn’t always lead to action, and self-improvement doesn’t always foster more profound understanding.

Many successful entrepreneurs credit curiosity for their achievements, while top performers often attribute their success to a disciplined practice and ongoing learning. But what happens when a leader embodies both curiosity and continual learning?

The combination of both qualities is a leadership superpower. The best leaders do their best to develop attributes in themselves and others.

Great leaders recognize the difference between these two critical qualities when assessing talent and look for those who exhibit a penchant for both ways of gaining meaningful insights. Curiosity and learning go hand-in-hand for those with the highest talent, but that combination is not as common as many believe.

Exceptional leaders are adept at recognizing the importance of curiosity and continual learning when assessing talent. They understand that individuals who embody both traits bring a unique combination of creativity and growth-oriented discipline. However, this blend is less common than many might think. Most people tend to lean more heavily toward one trait—curiosity or a commitment to learning. Yet, research consistently shows that both qualities are essential for long-term success.

Recognizing curiosity and continual learning as distinct virtues is crucial to unlocking the full potential of leadership. Leaders who nurture themselves and others are better equipped to drive innovation, foster growth and create lasting impact.

As the legendary coach John Wooden wisely said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” This reminds us that effective leadership is a journey that never stops evolving. The most effective leaders remain curious explorers and lifelong learners, continually pushing the boundaries of what they know and can achieve. By embracing both qualities, leaders elevate their capabilities and inspire those around them to do the same.

(Level Up Leadership 2.0 Online—last run for this year—will happen this Feb. 25, 2025, but will be strictly limited to a class of forty. For inquiries and reservations, contact April at +63928-559-1798. For more information, visit www.levelupleadership.ph.)