Spending time with children is always a reminder of how naturally curious we all start out. Kids see the world as one big mystery waiting to be solved, and they’re not afraid to ask questions—sometimes really big ones.
I remember a particular car ride home with one of my kids when he was around seven or eight years old. As soon as he got in the car, he said, “Dad, I have two really important questions that I need answers to, and I need you to tell me the truth.”
“Of course!” I said, bracing myself.
“How are babies made?”
Not exactly what I was expecting. But clearly, it had come up at school, and he wanted a real answer. So, I gave him an honest, age-appropriate explanation. He didn’t flinch. He just nodded and said, “Okay.”
Then, without missing a beat, he asked his second question, “Dad, how do satellites work?”
I had to laugh. He went from human biology to space technology in about two seconds. But that’s what makes kids incredible—they’re constantly exploring, observing, and connecting dots. They follow their curiosity wherever it takes them.
Somewhere along the way, though, many of us stop doing that. We get comfortable with what we already know. We stop asking, stop exploring, stop chasing the things that fascinate us. But the people who continue to grow—personally and professionally—are the ones who never lose that childlike curiosity.
Curiosity Isn’t Just for Business—It’s for Life
When we talk about curiosity, it’s easy to frame it in a business or leadership context. And don’t get me wrong—successful leaders are almost always deeply curious. They want to understand how things work, how to improve, how to anticipate what’s next. They dive into new industries, new challenges, new ideas. But curiosity isn’t just about business—it’s about being a fully engaged, evolving human being.
Think about any time you’ve wanted to pick up a new skill outside of work. Maybe you wanted to learn a new sport, play an instrument, cook a gourmet meal, or master photography. At first, you’re excited. You watch a few YouTube videos, maybe read an article or two. But then, when the real effort kicks in, many people stop. Why? Because casual curiosity is easy—real learning takes effort.
The Three Levels of Curiosity
Over the years, I’ve realized that curiosity operates on different levels. If you want to truly master something—whether it’s in business, a hobby, or a personal passion—you have to move beyond surface-level interest.
Level 1: Casual Curiosity
This is where most people stop. You read an article, watch a video, or ask someone a question to satisfy a passing curiosity. You get a quick answer, and that’s enough—for now.
For example, let’s say you’ve always wanted to learn how to play the guitar. Level 1 might be watching a few tutorial videos, reading about different guitar brands, or asking a musician friend for tips. You scratch the itch, but you don’t go any deeper.
Level 2: Committed Learning
At this level, you invest real time and effort. You listen to multiple podcasts, read several books, or take an online course. Instead of just dipping your toe in, you start to immerse yourself.
With the guitar example, Level 2 means you actually buy a guitar, start practicing consistently, and maybe even take lessons. You begin to understand the nuances—finger placement, strumming techniques, music theory. The more you learn, the more you realize how much more there is to learn.
Level 3: Immersive Mastery
This is where real transformation happens. You go beyond self-study and commit to structured learning, formal training, or hands-on experience.
For the guitar, Level 3 might mean joining a band, performing in front of an audience, or enrolling in a music school. It’s no longer just something you kind of know how to do—it becomes a part of you.
A Personal Example of Curiosity in Action
Let me bring this back to something I pursued in my own life. Several years ago, I became fascinated by private equity investing. I didn’t have a background in it, but I was curious.
At Level 1, I started by reading articles, following industry leaders, and listening to investing podcasts. That gave me a surface-level understanding, but I quickly realized I needed more.
So I moved to Level 2. Over the next few years, I read over 20 books on investing, financial analysis, and private and public markets. Some were technical, some were high-level strategy, but they all helped me deepen my knowledge.
Then I pushed to Level 3. I enrolled in an executive education program at Stanford, focusing on mergers and acquisitions. I wanted to learn from experts, work through real-world case studies, and gain a structured understanding of the field.
That journey—starting with curiosity, investing in learning, and then taking it to the highest level—played a crucial role in co-founding a private equity firm. But the learning didn’t stop there. Like any industry, private equity evolves—new markets emerge, strategies shift, and regulations change. Staying curious—continuing to learn, adapt, and explore—was essential in navigating those changes and continuing to grow while I was in that space. As an example, when I took the mergers and acquisitions course at Stanford, it was after co-founding the firm. Even though I had already launched the business, I knew there was still more to learn, and that ongoing education played a key role in my development as a leader and an investor.
Curiosity Is the Key to Growth
In today’s world, where information is everywhere, it’s easy to feel like an expert after reading one article or watching a single video. But real expertise, real growth, comes from pushing beyond that first level.
Curiosity keeps us engaged. It helps us grow. It makes life more interesting.
So, what’s something you’ve always wanted to learn? A new skill? A new industry? A creative passion?
Whatever it is, challenge yourself to move beyond Level 1. Pick up a book, take a class, immerse yourself. You might be surprised at where your curiosity takes you.
And as for my son’s question about how satellites work? Well, as an engineer, I had a general sense—I could talk about launching, orbiting, and signals. But the truth is, to this day, I still don’t fully understand it. Maybe it’s time to take my own advice and finally look into it.
See you next week,
Brent, your Rivr Guide
