Unleashing Curiosity in Leadership: Jon Bassford on Innovation and Psychological Safety

Jon Bassford is an operations professional and entrepreneur driven by his Curiosity! Curiosity is his superpower, driving his personal and professional advancement. After law school, Jon put this curiosity into launching, managing, and improving operations for venture-backed startups to global nonprofits with impact! For Jon, there is nothing that curiosity Curiosity. Today, Jon is known for his curiosity-driven leadership, helping organizations and individuals innovate, change, and grow by adopting Curiosity as their curiosity.https://www.instagram.com/jon_bassford/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbassford/https://www.youtube.com/@JonBassford   Curiosity's Role in Career Growth and Burnout Jon and Michael discussed their career paths and the role of curiosity in their curiosity; those who have worked in operations for nonprofits and startups identified curiosity as their Curiosity. He reflected on how his inquisitiveness has shaped his career and personal growth. Michael shared his experience of burnout and how approaching it with curiosity helped him rediscover curiosity, which was essential to him. Both agreed that curiosity is valuable for personal and professional growth. Curiosity and Openness in Personal and Professional Life Michael and Jon discussed the importance of curiosity in both personal and professional life. They emphasized that adopting a curious mindset can lead to insights and clarity and potentially diffuse the bombastic nature of current world issues. They also acknowledged that ego often gets in the way of being open to new ideas and perspectives. Jon agreed with Michael's points, suggesting that being open to new ways of thinking could change the world. Addressing High Turnover Rates and Employee Retention Michael discussed his approach to understanding and addressing high organizational turnover rates. He asked employees why they were leaving and used their feedback to implement changes. This approach created trust, and the organization's turnover rate decreased. Michael emphasized the importance of personal growth and approaching problems with curiosity. He also noted that the organization was recruiting employees and even turning away applicants due to a lack of open positions. Creating a Culture of Innovation and Psychological Safety Jon and Michael discussed the importance of creating a culture of innovation and psychological safety in organizations. Jon emphasized that leaders must change their mindset to allow for questioning and change, citing Google's Aristotle project as an example. Michael agreed, sharing his experiences with government entities where a lack of psychological safety stifled innovation and led to negative consequences. Both agreed that individuals should not be passive and speak up when they see something amiss, which is crucial for growth and change. Fostering Innovation and Psychological Safety Jon and Michael discussed the importance of innovation and psychological safety in organizations. Jon shared his experience with a cutting-edge organization that was not as innovative as it thought due to a culture of fear and lack of psychological safety. Michael shared a similar experience with an organization where the owner consistently dismissed an employee's suggestions for improvement. Both agreed that a more open-minded and flexible approach would lead to better outcomes and growth. They concluded that organizations must encourage curiosity and step outside their comfort zones to foster innovation and curiosity. Fostering Curiosity and Innovation in the Workplace Jon and Michael discussed the importance of a curious culture in the workplace, particularly in fostering innovation and growth. They emphasized the need for psychological safety, where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas without fear of judgment or criticism. Jon shared his approach to hiring new employees, encouraging them to share their thoughts and ideas, and highlighted the value of bringing i