Moving From Fear to Curiosity
If there was ever any doubt about the importance of a leader's ability to respond to change and disruption, the events of 2020 made it clear. While crises of that scale may not happen every day, the pace of change has not slowed. Uncertainty has become the norm, and in the face of this reality, one of the most valuable skills you can develop is the ability to move from fear to curiosity.
Fear is a natural first response to uncertainty. Our brain is wired to scan for threats, focus on what might go wrong, and avoid risks when things feel unstable. But staying in fear limits our decision-making and narrows our perspectives. When we lead with curiosity, we create space for learning, stay open to new possibilities, and strengthen our ability to guide others.
The best leaders know they can't eliminate all uncertainty. Instead, they focus on navigating it with composure and a mindset that looks for what can be learned in the moment, rather than what might go wrong. Making the intentional shift from fear to curiosity helps you stay grounded and guide both yourself and others through the unknown.
Self-Assessment: Moving From Fear to Curiosity
Please take a few moments to contemplate the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for personal growth in your leadership?
How do I usually respond when things feel uncertain or unpredictable?
What emotions come up when I don’t have any clear answers?
When I feel unsure, do I pause and ask questions or try to push through quickly?
Do I make space for others to explore ideas when plans change?
How often do I focus on what could go wrong instead of what might be possible?
In moments of pressure, do I tend to narrow my focus or stay open to options?
What helps me stay calm and curious when the path forward is unclear?
How do I model curiosity and confidence for others during uncertain times?
Remember, this self-assessment is just a starting point for understanding your knowledge of Curiosity as a leader. It's essential to reflect on your responses and actively work on areas where improvement is needed. Additionally, working with your ECFL Leadership Coach or seeking feedback from a trusted mentor can provide valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses.
“Let go of certainty. The opposite isn’t uncertainty. It’s openness, curiosity and a willingness to embrace paradox, rather than choose up sides. The ultimate challenge is to accept ourselves exactly as we are, but never stop trying to learn and grow.”
You have probably heard the proverb, "Curiosity killed the cat." What you may not have heard is the second half: "But satisfaction brought it back." The shortened version warns us away from asking questions. The full version reminds us that curiosity, despite its risks, leads to knowledge worth having.
Curiosity may be seen as a frivolous trait in leadership, but it's actually a valued skill when answers are unclear and the path ahead seems uncertain. When fear and overwhelm show up, being curious gives you options. It creates room to think, ask better questions, and stay open rather than retreating back to the familiar.
Asking "What can we learn from this?" or "What is the next best step?" helps you stay calm and maintain momentum, even when you're not sure what comes next. Curiosity won't give you all the answers, but it gives you space to choose your response.
People will watch how you respond in moments of tension. When you pause before reacting and ask questions instead of rushing to conclusions, you’re modeling stability. Sharing what you know, being honest about what remains unclear, and inviting others into the process builds trust and keeps people engaged. This approach shapes culture over time, because learning and questioning become more important than having the perfect plan.
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
The Delayed Reaction
Perry O'Dique oversees operations for a critical production run at the plant. Halfway through, a key chemical supplier announces unexpected delays due to new transportation regulations. The team is already working long shifts to meet the deadline, and now raw materials might not arrive on time.
Perry, trying to keep momentum, downplays the update and tells the team they'll figure it out when the time comes. When someone suggests developing a backup sourcing plan, Perry waves it off. He says it's probably nothing. The team continues as planned, and no contingency is discussed.
A week later, the shipment doesn't arrive. Production stops. The team scrambles to find alternative suppliers, reschedule reactor runs, and push back delivery commitments. Frustration builds, not because of the delay itself, but because no one prepared for it.
By dismissing the uncertainty instead of examining it, Perry missed his chance to lead with curiosity. A few simple questions could have kept the team ahead of the problem. What do we actually know? What's our backup if this doesn't resolve? What can we control right now?
What Might You Do Differently?
What did Perry overlook in this situation?
How could curiosity have changed the outcome?
Have you ever pushed past uncertainty to stay on schedule? What happened?
What would a more curious response look like?
Avoidance is a form of fear. Perry wasn't being optimistic when he brushed off the supplier issue. He was afraid to face and/or overwhelmed by the complexity of the problem, so he pretended it wasn't real. This can happen to the best of us. We freeze, panic, and convince ourselves that ignoring uncertainty will make it go away. Unfortunately, problems don't disappear because we refuse to look at them. Ignoring them doesn't stop them from happening; it just means we won't be ready when they do.
Uncertainty is uncomfortable. When you approach it with curiosity rather than fear, you can build momentum even when the next steps aren't clear. You don't need to wait for perfect clarity before you move forward. Here are some practical ways to build that mindset and apply it to your day-to-day leadership.
Best Practices for Moving From Fear to Curiosity
Pause Before You React: When something unexpected happens, give yourself a moment. Notice your first instinct. Ask yourself what else you need to know. This pause keeps you from jumping to conclusions or letting fear take over.
Break It Down: Big, unclear situations feel overwhelming. Start with basic questions. What do we actually know? What do we still need to learn? What can we act on right now? Smaller pieces are easier to handle.
Move Forward Anyway: You don't need the full picture to take action. Use what you know, make the best decision you can, and stay flexible. Progress creates clarity, not the other way around.
Make the Move From Fear to Curiosity: Fear tends to fixate on what might go wrong, whereas curiosity asks what might be possible. When you catch yourself spiraling in worry, ask a different question. What could I learn from this? What haven't we considered yet?
Focus on What You Can Actually Control: It's easy to spiral when you fixate on everything outside your control. Instead, focus on what you can influence: your response, your questions, your next step. This is how you escape the fear zone.
Take Imperfect Action: Leaders often feel pressure to get everything right, but waiting for the perfect solution can slow progress. Make the best choice you can with the information you have, and adjust as needed. Learning happens along the way.
Practice in Low-Stakes Situations: You can build confidence with uncertainty by practicing in everyday moments. Try something new when faced with an old problem. Make a decision without overthinking. Step into a challenge you would normally avoid. These low-risk situations strengthen the skills you'll need when pressure is high.
Being able to reframe uncertainty in the light of curiosity instead of fear is one of the clearest signs of a growth mindset. It’s curiosity that helps us meet change with possibility instead of panic, giving us the space to think, learn, question, and move forward even if we don’t yet know where it will take us. The more we choose curiosity, the more confident and adaptable we become, both at work and in life.
In the next session, we will explore what it means to find your stretch zone. We will look at how to challenge ourselves without becoming overwhelmed, and how to support others in doing the same.
Reflection Questions:
When faced with an unexpected challenge, do I tend to seek immediate answers, or do I pause to explore and understand the situation more deeply?
How comfortable am I with not having all the answers? Do I see uncertainty as a threat or an opportunity to learn?
Can I recall a recent situation where leading with curiosity led to a better outcome than if I had reacted out of fear or urgency?
Strengthen your understanding of Moving From Fear to Curiosity by sticking with the following resources. Use this opportunity to note new insights and adhere to practices that will enhance your leadership journey.
90 Second Leadership - Leading Through Uncertainty (2:13)
Todd Adkins
