The Leadership Mindset That Sparks Trust and Collaboration

Leadership isn’t just about directing tasks or making decisions—it’s about creating an environment where your team feels valued, trusted, and inspired. One of the most powerful ways to do this is by cultivating a mindset rooted in curiosity. As a curiosity keynote speaker, I’ve witnessed the difference it can make when a leader has a desire to truly learn about their team. When leaders approach challenges, conversations, and team dynamics with genuine curiosity, they open the door to trust and collaboration.

Why Curiosity Is a Leadership Superpower

Curiosity has the power to unlock understanding and transform even the toughest leadership challenges. I once worked with a leader who was deeply frustrated by one of her team members. No matter how much she tried to motivate him—offering new projects, praising his efforts—his engagement remained low, and his performance wasn’t improving. She was at a loss and ready to write it off as a lost cause.

That’s when I suggested she try something different: get curious about his motivations and values. At her next one-on-one, instead of jumping into the usual work updates, she asked a few open-ended questions to dig deeper. Things like, “What’s been the trickiest part of your role lately?” and “If you could change one thing about your work, what would it be?”

When she asked these questions, the answers surprised her. The team member revealed that he felt unsupported in an area of his job that he found overwhelming. He didn’t speak up earlier because he didn’t want to seem incompetent. With this new understanding, the leader realized the behaviors she’d been frustrated by—missed deadlines, disengagement—were rooted in fear, not a lack of motivation.

By approaching the situation with curiosity rather than judgment, she was able to make small adjustments that turned things around. Not only did his engagement and performance improve, but the experience also strengthened their working relationship.

The Connection Between Positivity and Collaboration

Positivity is the first step in creating a culture of collaboration. When you approach situations with a positive mindset, it opens the door for curiosity. Think about it—when you’re frustrated or negative, your mind tends to shut down, focusing on what’s wrong instead of what’s possible. But when you intentionally shift to a positive perspective, it’s easier to stay open and curious about solutions, opportunities, and the perspectives of others.

This curiosity is what fuels collaboration. A curious leader asks thoughtful questions, explores new ideas, and creates space for team members to contribute. When your team sees that you’re genuinely interested in their input, they’re more likely to share, engage, and work together toward common goals. It all starts with positivity, which unlocks curiosity, and ultimately leads to meaningful collaboration that drives success.

How to Cultivate a Positive Mindset

A positive mindset doesn’t just happen; it’s something you create intentionally by understanding yourself and making choices that set you up for success. Here are a few ways to cultivate positivity in your leadership:

1. Know Yourself:

   The more you understand what motivates you, what you value, and what stresses you out, the easier it is to set yourself up for success. For example, if you know you’re energized by quiet focus time, plan your schedule to include blocks for uninterrupted work. If clutter stresses you out, take five minutes to tidy your workspace before diving into a new task. By aligning your environment and time management with your natural preferences, you reduce stress and make positivity easier to maintain.

   
   

2. Shift Your Focus:

   When frustration strikes, take a moment to think about something that brings you joy. Maybe it’s a memory of a relaxing vacation, the sound of your kids laughing, or even a delicious meal you’re planning for the weekend. By putting yourself in that joyful feeling, you can shift your mood from frustration to optimism in seconds, helping you approach your team with a positive focus.

   
   

3. Look for the Good:

   Positivity thrives on gratitude, and sometimes all it takes is a quick shift in focus to find it. When frustration creeps in, pause and ask yourself, “What’s one thing that’s going well right now?” It could be as big as a recent success or as small as, “At least the coffee machine didn’t break today!” While it might feel silly at first, finishing a sentence like “At least…” helps reframe your mindset. By focusing on even the smallest wins, you reinforce a positive outlook and remind yourself that progress is always possible—even on the toughest days.

   
   

4. Practice the Power of “Yet”:

   When faced with setbacks, swap defeatist thoughts for growth-focused ones. Instead of saying, “I can’t solve this,” try, “I haven’t solved this yet.” This small shift in language keeps your mindset open to possibilities and solutions, helping you maintain positivity even when the path forward isn’t immediately clear.

Lead with Curiosity

Putting yourself in a positive mindset is the first step toward being curious—and curiosity is where great leadership begins. When you’re in a good headspace, it’s easier to ask thoughtful questions, stay open to new ideas, and genuinely engage with your team. This combination of positivity, curiosity, and gratitude creates a culture where trust and collaboration thrive. So, take a moment to shift your mindset when challenges arise, embrace curiosity, and enjoy your team relationships as they grow stronger and more connected!