Column: CEO Learnings
Hollywood producer Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, 24, and many more) shares his secret to a “big” life and happiness in A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life. More than intelligence, persistence or connections, curiosity has been the key to living the life he wanted. He now wants to show us how we can use it to give energy and insight to all that we do.
Open to Possibility
“Curiosity infuses everything with a sense of possibility,” Grazer writes. And curiosity is impartial – it doesn’t matter who you are, what you do for a living, or what you are passionate about.
Grazer discovered early in life that he was curious in a particular sort of way—he wanted to understand what made people “tick.” He wanted to see if he could connect a person’s attitude and personality with their work, their challenges and their accomplishments. He learned quickly that being curious was both fun and rewarding. Asking questions rather than giving answers has helped him to tell stories, make good movies, and learn about the world far from Hollywood. “Life is about the questions not the answers,” he says.
We get trapped in a way of thinking
Grazer continues: “We get trapped in a way of thinking; trapped in how we relate to people. We think the world is the way we see it. Being able to imagine the perspective of others is a critical tool for understanding reality,” and for seeing things in a new way.
With this insight, Grazer turned curiosity into a habit, making it part of his routine by scheduling “curiosity conversations” with people immersed in everything from particle physics to etiquette.
He found that people were happy to talk, especially about themselves and their work. He found that these conversations were like a mutual fund. The investment of time pays off in the long run. The more” perspectives” he can add to this “fund,” the more likely he will see things differently, gain new perspectives and see fresh ideas.
Curiosity Conversations
In A Curious Mind, Grazer provides a sampler of “curiosity conversations” he has had with people like Fidel Castro, Senator John McCain, President Obama, Michael Jackson, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Norman Mailer, Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, Jim Lovell, Veronica de Negri, Edward Teller, Carlos Slim, F. Lee Bailey, Gloria Allred, Kate Moss Oprah Winfrey, Princess Diana, and President George W. Bush. He has been meeting with people from diverse backgrounds since the late 1970s.
To be effective with “curiosity conversations,” one has to harness several traits:
- You must be disciplined and persistent. You don’t get to talk to busy, interesting people unless you invest in a steady effort persuading them to see you.
- You must be respectful of those you meet and know their work ahead of time.
- You must pay attention to the answers. “You have to absorb whatever it is you’re being curious about,” Grazer explains. “You cannot zone out.”
- You must be willing to act.
Curiosity is open for all to access
Curiosity is democratic – anyone, anywhere, of any age or education level, can use it. Curiosity can be used to fight fear—in public speaking, in social settings, and when tackling powerful people. Curiosity is the path to freedom itself—the freedom to chase any answer, and the ability to challenge authority. Curiosity is itself a form of power and courage.
Personally, I have been involved in a ministry focused on helping people in career transition since 2002. A Curious Mind has been added to our recommended reading list. Curiosity can be the life blood of a successful and healthy transition, particularly for the many who find networking to be their greatest challenge.
The book’s goal is to show you how valuable curiosity can be. And remind you how much fun it is. Grazer shows how he used it and how you can use it.
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This book review first posted August 17, 2015 in the Catholic Business Journal.
View Articles Thomas M. Loarie is a popular host of The Mentors Radio Show, the founder and CEO of BryoLogyx Inc. (BryoLogyx.com), and a seasoned corporate... MORE »
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