Of the 87 emotions Brené Brown names and explores in Atlas of the Heart, let’s take a closer look at the nuances between curiosity and interest. Here are Dr. Brown’s definitions:

Interest is a cognitive openness to engaging with a topic or experience.

Curiosity is recognizing a gap in our knowledge about something that interests us and becoming emotionally and cognitively invested in closing that gap through exploration and learning. Curiosity often starts with interest and can range from mild curiosity to passionate investigation.

With interest, our mind is open. With curiosity, we acknowledge a gap in what we know or understand, and heart and head are both invested in closing the gap. Choosing to be curious is choosing to be vulnerable because it requires us to surrender to uncertainty.

The mindset of a coach is to be curious. When we are coachlike in our mindset, we are curious about what the person we are in conversation with is thinking and feeling. Our curiosity is centered on the other person, not our own need to know.

Questions for your reflection:

How do you intentionally move toward curiosity in your communication?

How will you choose curiosity to engage both head and heart in your conversations?

How does your need for certainty impact your level of curiosity?