Welcome to A Curious Blog: Where Courage Creates Connection!
Step Into A Curious Space
Welcome to the Curious Space Blog, a transformative platform where I'll explore topics that impact workplace leaders, DEI professionals, and individuals striving for personal growth. Here, you'll find stories and insights that inspire you to view the world from diverse perspectives. The concept of a 'curious space' is central to all my trainings, and I'm excited to share how this transformative idea came to be.
Transforming Frustration into Curiosity
When I began my journey in leadership development and DEI training, I was idealistic about the conversations I could have with people. Coming from a higher education background, I was trained to create safe spaces for my students. For those unfamiliar, the term "safe space" originated in the LGBTQ community as an environment free from discrimination, criticism, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm. This concept expanded to include other marginalized communities.
When I entered my workshops, I was ready to build safe spaces armed with facts and real-world examples, believing this would help everyone understand the issues I presented. However, I quickly encountered my audience's limiting beliefs and stereotypes, which left me frustrated and angry. Creating a safe space for meaningful conversations with people holding such misinformation was challenging.
From a Safe Space to a Curious Space
I wanted to find a way for people to talk openly and safely, even if their ideas seemed wrong or limited to me. Through these talks, I learned to identify patterns in how one-sided stories can spread false information and make people act against their own interests. I looked at different methods to handle tough conversations but didn’t find any that worked well for these tricky talks. So, I decided to create a new approach by combining different elements from the methods I had found: a curious space.
The 5 Golden Rules of a Curious Space
Curious spaces are environments where individuals are encouraged to speak their truth and remain open to changing their minds. Here, discomfort is expected for the sake of learning and connection. Here's how we make it work:
1. Question, Learn, Repeat - When things get tricky, ask questions—of yourself and others. Curiosity is the key to understanding.
2. Listen First, Defend Later - Focus on really listening to others instead of just defending your own point of view. This helps us grow together.
3. Personalize to Humanize - Speak from your own experience with "I" statements. Share your own story, not just what you've heard.
4. Reflect on the Effect - Even if we don’t mean to hurt someone, our words can still sting. Be open to hearing how others feel.
5. Exit the Comfort Zone - Embrace the discomfort that comes with learning and growing. It’s a natural part of the process!
Why Curious Spaces Transform Conversations
Creating a space where people can ask questions and share personal stories—rather than generalizing—makes tough discussions more manageable. Curiosity shifts the focus from defensiveness to understanding. By asking, "Why do you believe that?" and exploring different perspectives, we foster deeper connections and compassion.
Join the Curious Journey
Come along as I share the lessons I've learned and explore new topics within this curious space. Together, we’ll uncover new ways of thinking and growing.
