To be a successful franchisor, you need to be a good leader. Financial skills are critical, as is the ability to communicate effectively with others, inspiring and motivating your franchisees to achieve. But one skill you might have overlooked is the ability to be curious. Curiosity helps businesses stay agile, open to change, and full of ideas. As individuals, it keeps us motivated to learn and grow.
Sometimes, the biggest opportunities are already right in front of us; we just need to start asking better questions
When you dig a little deeper with both existing and potential franchisees, you may uncover challenges they haven’t yet articulated. Curiosity helps you to understand what franchisees really need, spot gaps you can fill and build stronger, more meaningful relationships. Take a moment to ask an extra question, explore a new angle, or revisit a conversation. You never know what opportunity you might uncover.
Curiosity keeps businesses moving forward
It’s easy to rely on what already works, especially when processes feel “good enough.” But as Edward de Bono put it, “We may have a perfectly adequate way of doing something, but that does not mean there cannot be a better way. So we set out to find an alternative way. This is the basis of any improvement that is not fault correction or problem solving.” Curiosity is about continuous improvement and always being open to new ways of working.
Curiosity is the starting point for innovation
When a business stops asking questions, risks appear. Think about when Blockbuster waved away the rise of online streaming. Or when BlackBerry believed physical keyboards would always dominate over touchscreen. They treated new ideas as something they could afford to ignore, but they were wrong. A curious business does the opposite. It questions how things are done, explores different approaches, notices early shifts in behaviour and stays open to advice and external expertise.
Curiosity is a practical tool for progress
The businesses that stay curious are the ones that continue to grow, adapt and stay ahead. Take, for example, AI. Are you using what’s available to its full potential? Small steps can spark better outcomes, whether that’s asking how clients feel about AI, noticing repetitive tasks that could be managed differently, or simply checking what new features have already appeared in software you use every day. Curiosity doesn’t mean you need to know everything. It’s about asking the right questions to spot where time, cost or attention could be better spent.
Try these 5 steps to become more curious:
- Build a curious culture: Make curiosity part of everyday work by encouraging questions and sharing learning. Create an environment where your franchisees feel safe to speak up and explore ideas.
- Value different viewpoints: Collaboration between people with varied backgrounds and expertise helps generate solutions and fresh perspectives. Encourage your franchisees to work together and support each other.
- Recognise and reward curiosity: Allow space for experimentation and acknowledge those who go the extra mile to explore new approaches.
- Challenge assumptions: Don’t take things at face value. Ask “What if?” questions to uncover new possibilities and creative solutions.
- Ask and listen: Be curious about others’ perspectives. Ask open-ended questions, seek clarification and practice active listening to truly understand and learn.
Above all, stay open-minded. Being curious is about being comfortable with not having all the answers. Mistakes and missteps are valuable lessons that will help you and your franchise grow. Don’t be afraid to try new things or switch up your daily routine. Embrace curiosity and discover a bright new future for your franchise.
