Everyone Has a Story: The Power of Curiosity and Connection

All I asked was how he liked his Tesla. Fifteen minutes later, I found myself in a full-blown discussion about creation, reincarnation, and whether divine intervention has a hand in destiny. Just your average Tuesday commute.

The Gift of Asking Questions

I’ve always been that person who asks questions — not intrusive ones, just the kind that start with genuine curiosity: How did you get into that? What made you choose this path? What do you love most about it? And before I know it, people are sharing stories about their lives, dreams, challenges, and everything in between. Sometimes I think all it takes is one sincere question to open a door someone didn’t even realize was waiting.

When People Feel Seen

This week alone, an Uber driver gave me his theory on the origins of humanity, and another woman I met started telling me about her IVF journey mid-conversation before stopping herself to say, “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this.”

It’s actually a common thing people say to me — as if they suddenly realize how open they’ve become. But I think when someone feels seen, safe, and truly listened to, the stories just flow.

Because when you’re curious about people, you start to see that everyone carries a story. Some are filled with joy and success, others with heartbreak and resilience, but each one helps explain who they are and why they are where they are.

“Be curious, not judgmental.”

— Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso (often attributed to Walt Whitman, though historians say there’s no record of him saying it)

Curiosity Builds Connection

“Be curious, not judgement” has become one of my favorite quotes — simple, but powerful. When we lead with curiosity instead of judgment, we give people space to be themselves. We listen to understand, not to respond. We stop assuming we already know their story — and sometimes, we even realize how much we still have to learn.

 Curiosity builds connection.
Connection builds trust.
And trust builds understanding — whether you’re talking to a friend, a stranger, or a client.

Even in business, it’s true: people do business with people they like. And people tend to like those who take a genuine interest in them — not just what they do, but who they are. The same goes for leadership, teamwork, and daily life. Real relationships start with curiosity.

The Art of Listening

Real listening is an act of generosity. It says, “You matter enough for me to pause my own story and make space for yours.” When we do that, thoughtful questions come naturally — because we’re truly curious, not just filling silence.

Try this instead:

• Instead of asking, “How are you?” ask, “What’s been the highlight of your week so far?”

• Instead of “What do you do?”, try, “What drew you to that line of work?”

• Or start with, “I’ve always been curious — what’s the best part of what you do?”

You’ll be amazed how quickly a casual conversation becomes something meaningful.

A World That Forgot to Listen

If we zoom out, that idea feels especially relevant right now. Somewhere along the way, we’ve forgotten how to listen to each other. We let outside voices — politics, algorithms, headlines — tell us how to think, who to trust, and what to believe. But what if we paused all that noise for a minute and got back to simply being curious?

What if, instead of judging someone for what they believe, we asked why they believe it? What if, instead of shutting down a conversation, we said, “Tell me more”?

Curiosity doesn’t mean you have to agree — it means you’re willing to understand. And in that small act, connection begins.

The Takeaway

So maybe the next time you’re tempted to rush through small talk, pause. Ask a real question. Listen without planning your response. You might be surprised how much you learn — not just about the person sitting across from you, but about yourself, too.

Because everyone has a story. And the more curious you are, the more you’ll discover just how beautifully complicated — and wonderfully human — people can be.

💎 Glow Gem: The Power of Curiosity

Curiosity isn’t nosiness — it’s presence. When you’re genuinely curious, you stop performing and start connecting. The best listeners don’t have all the answers — they have all the questions.

Try this: This week, practice one intentional conversation where you focus entirely on the other person. Ask follow-up questions. Don’t interrupt. Notice how the energy shifts when you listen to understand instead of to reply