Why the smartest people ask the most questions

 
Imagine you are sitting in a team meeting and someone asks a simple question: “What if we looked at this differently?”

This curious question changes the conversation completely - and creates immense value for the group.

I discovered the real power of curiosity when I was recently sitting in a masterclass with an experienced and highly successful orchestra soloist. He had reached the pinnacle of his field - performing in the greatest concert halls. Most people would coast at that level.

But not him.

“When you’re at the top,” he explained, “there’s no one left to copy. That’s when curiosity becomes your teacher.”

He studied how other how world-famous musicians and conductors performed. How athletes trained. How composers composed. And even how his instrument was made. Each observation made his performances richer and more alive.

That conversation changed how I think about career growth. And today, I want to share why curiosity might be the most undervalued skill in your professional toolkit.
 

Why curiosity is your career power

1. It’s your secret learning engine

Remember when you started your career? You watched others, copied what worked, and followed the established path.

But what happens when there’s no path to follow?

This hits especially hard for women in STEM. When you’re the only woman in leadership meetings, whose style do you copy?

Here’s what I’ve learnt: Curiosity fills that gap.

Instead of thinking “I don’t have a role model,” you start asking:

• How do female CEOs in finance handle tough negotiations?

• What can I learn from how teachers manage difficult conversations?

• How do entrepreneurs build trust when everything is uncertain?

Suddenly, the whole world becomes your classroom.

2. It makes people want to help you

I used to dread networking events and making small talk.

Then I tried something different. Instead of talking about myself, I got genuinely curious about others:

• “I’m curious - how did you approach that product launch?”

• “What surprised you most about leading that team?”

• “How do you decide when to push back on unrealistic deadlines?”

The shift was immediate. People lit up and shared insights I’d never have discovered otherwise. Some became mentors and collaborators.

Why? Because genuine curiosity makes people feel valued. It shows you see them as someone worth learning from.

Research backs this up: People who ask thoughtful questions are seen as more likeable, competent, and trustworthy. That’s a powerful combination for career growth.
 

3. It helps you solve problems effectively

Here’s what separates good professionals from great leaders: The ability to see around corners.

Curious people don’t accept the first solution. They dig deeper:

• “What assumptions are we making?”

• “What would this look like from our customer’s perspective?”

• “What are we not seeing?”

One of my clients used this approach when her team kept missing deadlines. Instead of pushing harder, she got curious. She discovered the real issue wasn’t motivation — it was unclear requirements from stakeholders.

That curiosity-driven insight saved her team months of frustration.

Studies show managers view curious employees as more proactive and capable. That means, they’re more likely to tap you for leadership roles.

Bonus: Curiosity increases confidence

Here’s something nobody tells you: Curiosity is confidence in disguise.

When you’re curious, you shift from “What if I fail?” to “What will I learn?”

That subtle change transforms everything. Setbacks become insights.

Your 3-step action plan

Ready to build your curiosity muscle? Start here:

1. Learn to ask deeper questions

Stop asking surface questions - dig deeper:

Instead of: “How’s the project going?” Try: “What would success look like for this project in 6 months?”

Instead of: “Any concerns?” Try: “What assumption are we making that we haven’t tested yet?”

Instead of: “Makes sense?” Try: “What could make this fail?”

These questions unlock powerful insights.

2. Challenge your autopilot brain

We all have instant reactions. The magic happens when you question them.

Try this: When you form an opinion, pause and ask: “My first thought is X - what would prove or disprove that?”

I did this recently when a client insisted their problem was marketing. My experience said otherwise. But instead of pushing back, I got curious: “What makes you think it’s marketing?” Their answer revealed the real issue - confused messaging from misaligned teams. That curiosity turned a 2-week project into a 6-month transformation engagement.

3. Take one small exploration this week

Curiosity is a muscle. It grows with practice.

This week, pick ONE:

• Read the second article after the one you initially found (the gems hide deeper)

• Ask a customer why they really chose your product (not what you assume)

• Learn how a colleague in a different department makes decisions

• Spend 20 minutes understanding a concept adjacent to your field

Small explorations lead to big insights.

The bottom line

In a world where everyone’s following the same playbook, curiosity is your competitive advantage.

It helps you learn when there’s no one to copy, builds relationships that accelerate your career and develops the problem-solving skills that mark true leaders.

So this week, try asking one genuinely curious question in your next meeting. Watch how the energy shifts.

Because sometimes, the most powerful career move isn’t knowing all the answers. It’s asking better questions.