How Strategic Curiosity Fuels Gravitas in Leadership
The Strategic Leader Podcast- Series 1, Episode 12
In the latest episode, we delve deep into the concept of gravitas and what it truly means to show up with impact in professional settings. While many of us associate gravitas with authority or expertise, we discuss something far more powerful: strategic curiosity.
Gravitas is often defined as a dignified or serious manner, but in everyday leadership parlance, it’s more about how you influence others. It’s the presence you bring into the room that makes people sit up and listen. But here’s the twist: It’s not just about being the expert. It’s about demonstrating that you can move the conversation forward, even if you don’t have all the answers.
Why Curiosity Is a Strategic Skill
At first glance, curiosity may seem like a soft skill—a nice-to-have for leaders but not necessarily central to strategic decision-making. However, we explore how curiosity is at the heart of being a truly strategic leader. Here's how:
Active Curiosity Builds Trust
One of the most effective ways to lead is by asking questions that deepen understanding. When you show genuine curiosity in others’ perspectives, it helps build trust and creates a sense of mutual respect. In team meetings, instead of bombarding the room with facts and figures, a well-placed question can create space for richer dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.Curiosity Fuels Innovation
Great leaders don’t just push their own agenda—they help the team uncover new insights. Asking the right questions can help the group explore new solutions, challenge assumptions, and move forward with better clarity. It’s less about knowing everything and more about knowing what you don’t know—and being willing to learn.Curiosity Leads to Better Decision-Making
As leaders, we often feel the pressure to have all the answers. However, in high-level strategic conversations, sometimes the most valuable contribution is not a monologue, but a question that shifts the focus or opens new lines of inquiry. Questions like, “Who else should be in this conversation?” or “What’s the most difficult thing about this?” can spark the kind of deep reflection that leads to breakthroughs.
Moving Beyond the Fear of “Looking Stupid”
One of the biggest barriers to asking questions in meetings, especially at senior levels, is the fear of looking uninformed or lacking in knowledge. It’s easy to feel like asking a question might reveal weaknesses, but that’s a misconception. In fact, the best leaders often ask the best questions. A question shows that you are engaged, curious, and open to learning, which is far more valuable than simply having all the answers.
As we put it in this episode, You can’t have curiosity and judgement at the same time. You can’t ask a question and simultaneously judge the person asking it. Curiosity opens the door to new perspectives and innovation, while judgment shuts it down.
The Power of Active Listening
Another crucial element of curiosity is active listening. Leadership conversations aren’t just about talking—they’re about listening. And there are different levels of listening, from hearing for key information to listening for deeper meaning and connection. Active listening involves being present, paying attention to the speaker’s words and non-verbal cues, and asking thoughtful follow-up questions to ensure full understanding.
Reflective listening—where you summarize what you’ve heard to check understanding—is a powerful tool in any conversation. It’s a simple way to show you’re not just hearing words but genuinely trying to understand the speaker's point of view. This fosters collaboration and helps align the group on the next steps.
Giving Yourself Permission to Ask Questions
In the fast-paced world of strategic leadership, asking questions can sometimes feel vulnerable. But embracing this vulnerability is essential for growth. To be more strategic, leaders must embrace the uncomfortable territory of not knowing everything—and be willing to ask the questions that can lead to better decisions and more informed actions.
As you move forward in your leadership journey, consider this: the next time you’re in a senior meeting or executive conversation, ask a question. Not for the sake of showing off your expertise, but because it will help you—and everyone in the room—think more strategically. It’s one of the most powerful tools you can bring to the table.
Gravitas isn’t just about having all the answers—it’s about showing up with confidence, curiosity, and an openness to learn. By asking thoughtful questions and practicing active curiosity, you demonstrate the strategic thinking that makes you a standout leader. So, the next time you're in a meeting, don’t hesitate to ask that question. It might just be the most valuable contribution you can make.