𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

Curiosity has always been one of my strengths.

It helps me read a room, understand behaviour and look beneath the surface. It allows me to ask the sometimes uncomfortable questions that can lead to new insights, stronger teams and real growth.

Curiosity helps us understand instead of assume.

But I have also learned that my curiosity skill can sometimes be a challenge.

Too many questions or the wrong timing or tone, can create the exact opposite of what we want as coaches and leaders.

And in my eagerness to understand what makes someone tick, I have sometimes asked too much.

That is where cross cultural sensitivity becomes essential.

In our Caribbean context, many people were raised and educated to follow instructions, respect authority and avoid questioning too much. I have lived here for 25 years, but my Dutch background and direct communication style are still part of who I am.

A question that feels open and engaging to me may feel confronting to you.

Curiosity is I think about finding the balance between stretching someone’s comfort zone and keeping the space safe enough for reflection and growth.

That balance is culturally sensitive. Where we were born, how we were raised, our values and beliefs, and how we see authority all shape how we experience questions.

That is why WannaGrow works with a cross-cultural team, with roots across the islands and the Netherlands.

We challenge each other, reflect together and give honest feedback about that fine line. By practising what we preach, every client session also becomes part of our own growth process.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆

How do you know when curiosity opens a conversation and when it crosses a line?