Though we all have our own strengths, I can say small talk is not one of mine. And I am OK with that … because I am curious. I have a strong desire to know and learn things. So I ask questions of people, share articles of interest and Google new topics (a lot). Its because I genuinely care about learning, information, and the people with whom I interact (just ask the Denver Uber driver I met the other week).

So my interest was peaked when a book arrived in the mail, postmarked La Jolla, CA. I always enjoy the articles sent to me by my dear friend Jeannie, and this was no different … It was an entire book about being curious – A Curious Mind: The secret to a bigger life, by Brian Grazer, co-founder of Imagine Entertainment.

Categorized as a leadership and management book, Grazer illustrates all the ways being curious can be of benefit in the world of business, while recounting a catalogue of fascinating (and humorous) conversations he’s had throughout his career … including one with Fidel Castro.

“As part of the visit (to Cuba), we had a long lunch with Fidel Castro. Castro was wearing his usual green army fatigues, and he talked to us through a translator for three and a half hours – I think without even taking a breath. It was the usual Castro speech, mostly about why Cuba us amazing and the United States is doomed.

When he stopped talking, he looked at me … and through the translator he asked just one question: ‘How do you get your hair to stand up that way?'”

Benefits of being curious, defined by Grazer:

• As a tool for discovery, as a kind of secret weapon to understand what other people don’t.
• As a spark for creativity and inspiration.
• As a way of motivating yourself.
• As a tool for independence and self-confidence.
• As the key to storytelling.
• As a form of courage.

As well as a tool for engagement, a framework for management and the basis for corporate culture. A recommended read, indeed.

I’d be interested to know … How do you apply curiosity in your life?