5 tips to use curiosity to improve interpersonal skills

We have two options when faced with a problem or personnel issue. 

We can either resolve it and figure out why it’s happening in the first place or ignore it, hoping it will go away on it’s own.

The later usually leads to bigger problems down the road.

The better way is to use curiosity to improve your interpersonal problem-solving skills. 

The following curiosity tips help you get to the root cause of problems and create lasting change. 

1. Practice Mindful Breathing – Taking a few minutes each day to breathe deeply and breathe out a little longer activates the relaxation response of your nervous system to bring out your best thinking.  

Focusing on your breathing helps you approach situations with curiosity rather than reactivity. 

2. Ask Open-Ended Questions – Using the words “How” or “What” to start questions invites innovative solutions. For example, “What are some alternative ways we could approach this problem?” or “How might we continue doing what’s already working well?”   

Being curious with open-ended questions also invites new insights. 

3. Change Your Physical Perspective – Sometimes, a simple change in your physical environment can shift your mental perspective. 

Try sitting in a different spot during meetings or taking a walk when brainstorming. This small change can help you see problems and solutions from a new angle.

4. Reflect on Daily Interactions – Take time at the end of each day to reflect on your interactions. Ask yourself, “What did I learn today?” and “How could I approach similar situations differently in the future?” 

This reflective practice helps you learn from your experiences and fosters a growth mindset of continuous improvement.

5. Encourage Diverse Viewpoints – Create an environment where team members feel safe to speak up with different perspectives and ideas. Encourage brainstorming where all ideas are welcomed and considered. 

Diversity of thought leads to a stronger, more cohesive team.

Curiosity helps you to stop spinning your wheels doing the same thing over and over wishing for better results.

Make the Conscious Choice to approach problems with curiosity and notice how it helps you see possibilities for creative problem-solving.

Want help to develop your interpersonal skills? Book a complimentary call with me to gain insights and strategies tailored to your unique challenges.

About the author 

Bonnie Artman Fox, MS, LMFT works with executive leaders who want to gain self-awareness about the impact of their words and actions and up-level their interpersonal skills. 

Drawing from decades as a psychiatric nurse and licensed family therapist, Bonnie brings a unique perspective to equip executive leaders with the roadmap to emotional intelligence that brings teams together. 

Bonnie’s leadership Turnaround coaching program has an 82% success rate in guiding leaders to replace abrasive behavior with tact, empathy, and consideration of others. The end result is a happy, healthy, and profitable workplace…sooner vs. later.