I recently mentioned to a marketer friend of mine that he was “wicked smart.” His reply? “Not really, I’m just wicked curious!” While his response was modest, it stopped me in my tracks.
As a brand marketer, I’ve seen curiosity in action. Curiosity can turn a dying brand into a beloved one. Curiosity can create new brands that are unique, relevant and desired. Curiosity can breathe new life into a brand that may have lost its way.
If Blake Mycoskie hadn’t been curious about traveling to Argentina back in 2006, he wouldn’t have seen the shoeless children who inspired him to ask, “How might I create a sustainable business that could provide shoes for them?” Curiosity created TOMS shoes.
Steve Jobs embraced curiosity. It’s what drove him to build one of the most desirable brands in the world.
“Much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on.”
So, was Steve wicked smart or wicked curious? Well, there are a lucky few who are born with the ability to memorize legions of information. But the truly intelligent people are able to connect unusual dots based on curiosity, or ask questions that go beyond the status quo. I contend that the real game-changers are smart BECAUSE they are curious.
You can be a game-changer, too. Here’s how:
- Be curious about what others think of your brand, especially your customers.
- Be curious about the world around you. Travel, read and experience things outside your sphere of influence. Then, listen without judgment.
- Be willing to ask dumb questions while checking your ego at the door.
- Be willing to ask, “How can we do this better?” And then be relentless in your quest for the next big thing.
- Be willing to ask WHY. If you don’t get a satisfactory answer, ask again.
Curiosity can spark all kinds of ideas, and it can even change the direction of your brand. Just remember: Never rest on your laurels. Never stop being curious.
