January 24th, 2026

A reflection on curiosity, discernment, and leadership in the age of AI.

It’s noticeable how much certainty is valued in today’s leaders. Clear answers. Strong opinions. Confidence.

Certainty can feel reassuring. It signals control, competence, and direction.

In a world that’s changing rapidly, however, curiosity is a skill that we need to start genuinely nurturing and encouraging.

When environments are shifting fast, being overly certain about approaches or processes can be limiting - even risky. What worked last year, last month, or even last week may no longer be applicable.

Curiosity reintroduces a different question.
Not What’s the answer?
But What if?

What if we approached more challenges with a sense of exploration rather than problem-solving urgency?

What if we allowed room for learning, experimentation, and discovery? Not because we don’t care about the outcomes, but because the landscape is very much unfolding.

This is where East comes alive.

East brings the energy of enquiry, possibility, and new perspectives. When curiosity is present, innovation tends to expand. So does creativity. Often, there’s even a bit more lightness and fun in the mix (which should be encouraged when people are navigating complexity and change).

None of this removes the importance of having clear intent. Leadership still requires direction, values, and desired outcomes. But perhaps the certainty we need to anchor into isn’t about methods or answers - it’s about how we lead. Our values. Our way of being. Our willingness to bring people with us as we all learn.

Curiosity also extends well beyond learning about new tools or technologies. It’s an openness to other viewpoints. Other beliefs and approaches.

We all know that collective problem-solving often leads to stronger outcomes. When ideas are shared, tested, and built on through honest kōrero, the thinking expands. Curiosity creates the conditions for that to happen.

Seven months ago, I had very little interest in learning about AI. Through some convincing, I dipped a toe in. It blew my mind on the first day and I needed a little lie down to digest it.

It’s a fascinating tool. Since engaging, it has stimulated my thinking in unexpected ways. It's challenged assumptions, introduced perspectives I hadn’t considered, and become a kind of co-creator, mirror, and expander for my own ideas. And yes, it can get a little carried away and needs to be pulled into check at times.

Curiosity, when paired with honesty and critical thinking, creates space for real expansion.

That said, curiosity does come with a warning label.

It’s called discernment.

Big, shiny, and new doesn’t automatically mean useful or wise. Curiosity without discernment can become distraction. So part of leading well in this space is learning to ask better questions, to probe, to test, and to reflect. It’s why I deliberately use different tools in different ways, sometimes to go deep, sometimes to challenge assumptions, sometimes simply to sense-check my own thinking.

East isn’t about chasing novelty for novelty’s sake.

It’s about staying open while staying grounded.

I encourage curiosity across all forms of interaction. Particularly with people, but also technology, in nature, the world in general and certainly with ourselves. We need to continue to celebrate and stand strong in our humanness. To value people deeply, whether we agree with them or not, and remain open to change without changing for the sake of it.

Curiosity, held with maturity and reflective practice, becomes a powerful leadership skill. One that helps us navigate uncertainty, consider human impact, and respond wisely rather than react quickly.

In a fast-moving world, this feels like a very cool place to lead from.

I like to think that the next evolution of leadership isn’t about having all the answers.

​It’s about holding direction, while staying curious, open, and human in how we move forward together.
Further insights:
If you’d like to continue to expand this exploration, my free guide is available, or you can join my mini-course, which offers tools and insights to staying oriented in today’s world.

#anewcompass #leadinglights