Curiosity and Condescending

One of the greatest gifts we can give people is our attention, and elite attention often requires great curiosity. When we leverage judgment instead of curiosity, it’s easy for us to come off as condescending and preachy, whereas curiosity depletes condescending communication. I find that curiosity is often under-utilized. It’s a tool that can create space for understanding, which allows us to connect with others.

Can curiosity become condescending? Sure. Too many questions can be annoying and can feel like an interrogation. We need to have the emotional intelligence to realize when our curiosity is genuine and when it is nosey. Too much of anything can be a bad thing. Yet, for those of us who can be seen as snarky, overly blunt, or generally condescending, we could benefit from a healthy dose of curiosity. Your people will be glad you did.