5. Embrace Curiosity for Personal and Professional Growth

The Breakout Booth

Alexis and Linda Moss, an expert in corporate learning, discuss the topic of Curiosity and how it can spark growth throughout your life.

Alexis describes three different forms of curiosity:

1. Epistemic curiosity (the drive to acquire knowledge)
2. Empathic curiosity (the drive to understand others’ feelings)
3. Self-directed curiosity (a tool for personal growth)

She then explores how fear can hinder curiosity and offers strategies to overcome it.

Linda shares insights and reflections based on her experiences at Google and several other tech companies, touching upon the nature of curiosity, its connection to learning, and how to foster curiosity both as an individual and as a manager. Together, Linda and Alexis also explore a broader range of career topics, including career transitions and burnout. They end the episode with an exploration of how hard and soft skills can be developed.

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In this episode:

• [1:11] Epistemic Curiosity
• [2:35] Empathic Curiosity
• [3:21] Self-Directed Curiosity
• [4:25] Feeding curiosity is easy; getting curious can be hard
• [7:25] Linda Moss: welcome & background
• [9:03] What is curiosity, and when are we most curious?
• [12:24] What holds us back from curiosity?
• [22:27] How to foster more curiosity in your life
• [27:40] Exploring personal career transitions
• [38:10] How can a manager foster curiosity with their team?
• [43:41] How Linda supported Alexis through a period of burnout
• [51:00] Exploring hard & soft skill development

References:

• Wikipedia: Epistemic Curiosity
• Psychology Today: Empathic Curiosity
• Psychology Today: Feeding curiosity stimulates dopamine
• Harvard Business Review: Why women don’t apply for jobs unless they’re 100% qualified
• Ian Leslie: Curious (not highlighted, but a good read)
• Article: Get curious not furious (not highlighted, but great for parents)

Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

Chapters

1. 5. Embrace Curiosity for Personal and Professional Growth (00:00:00)

2. Epistemic Curiosity (00:01:11)

3. Empathic Curiosity (00:02:35)

4. Self-Directed Curiosity (00:03:21)

5. Feeding curiosity is easy; getting curious can be hard (00:04:25)

6. Linda Moss: welcome & background (00:07:25)

7. What is curiosity, and when are we most curious? (00:09:03)

8. What holds us back from curiosity? (00:12:24)

9. How to foster more curiosity in your life (00:22:27)

10. Exploring personal career transitions (00:27:40)

11. How can a manager foster curiosity with their team? (00:38:10)

12. How Linda supported Alexis through a period of burnout (00:43:41)

13. Exploring hard & soft skill development (00:51:00)