The podcast delves into the power of radical curiosity with Seth Goldenberg, exploring how questioning common beliefs can lead to flourishing futures. Topics covered include strategic inquiry in problem-solving, challenging legacy narratives, metacognition in innovation, sustainability leadership in the oil sands industry, and promoting a compassionate workplace culture through dialogue and humanity.
Developing curiosity reshapes perspectives and offers practical tools for complex issues.
Decline in curiosity impacts imagination, societal structures, and challenges established narratives.
Metacognition, critical thinking, and unlearning are pivotal skills for addressing diverse challenges in the 21st century.
Deep dives
Curiosity as a Leadership Essential
Curiosity is discussed as a crucial trait for leaders, exemplified by Seth Goldenberg's approach. The conversation delves into the need for developing curiosity and how it reshapes perspectives, even in everyday scenarios like travel. Seth's book 'Radical Curiosity' is highlighted for offering practical tools beyond traditional business approaches, emphasizing applying curiosity to solve complex issues.
Challenging Legacy Narratives
The podcast explores the decline in curiosity and its significance in a cultural interregnum. Seth discusses shifting values and the endangered status of curiosity, specifically drawing connections to the questioning of established legacy narratives. The conversation delves deep into the impact on our imagination and societal structures due to the decline in curiosity.
Metacognition and Critical Thinking
Metacognition is identified as a pivotal skill for the 21st century, emphasizing the ability to understand diverse ways of thinking and mental models. The discussion highlights the correlation between metacognition, intelligence, and polarization, emphasizing the importance of updating beliefs and critical thinking for progress. The podcast elaborates on the importance of unlearning and understanding how different mental models influence decision-making in various domains.
Innovative Solutions in Collaboration
The conversation delves into Seth Goldenberg's work with organizations facing pressing societal and environmental challenges. Examples include collaborative approaches taken in the oil sands industry to address sustainability and climate change issues. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of dialogue, care, humor, and social interactions in navigating complex challenges and fostering transformative solutions amidst competing interests.
Building Bridges through Humor and Humanity
Seth's approach integrates humor and care to foster dialogue and innovative problem-solving within organizations. Drawing from personal experiences and family influences, the conversation highlights the role of social connections and human elements in tackling tough questions. The discussion underscores the significance of infusing humanity into leadership practices and engaging in authentic, energizing conversations to address societal and organizational challenges.
Today co-hosts Jean Gomes and Scott Allender are in conversation with Seth Goldenberg. Seth is a designer, activist, author, curator, and entrepreneur who harnesses the power of questioning to catalyse innovation and cultural change. He is the founder and CEO of Curiosity & Co., exploring, designing, and building flourishing futures through a design-venture studio, an experience laboratory, Ideas Salons as thought-leader retreats that tackle the essential questions of our time. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Wired, The Chronicle for Higher Education, Providence Journal and the Boston Globe.
