There was a time when the most celebrated qualities in the workplace were decisiveness, confidence, and that unflinching “fake it till you make it” bravado. For years, these were the traits that got people hired, promoted, and paraded around as “leaders.” But I keep circling back to a quieter, subtler pair of qualities that seem to carry far more weight in today’s world of constant change: curiosity and humility.
And I wonder—are these the real non-negotiables for the future of both personal growth and building a team?
Why Curiosity Feels Like Currency Now
Curiosity used to be something we outgrew, like recess or training wheels. At some point, adults were supposed to trade “Why does this work like that?” for “This is how it’s always been done.” But the people I see thriving now—designers, entrepreneurs, artisans, even tech founders—are the ones who refuse to stop asking questions.
Curiosity has this funny way of keeping your mind limber. It helps you notice the details that others gloss over. It lets you spot connections between seemingly unrelated fields—like how streetwear influences luxury interiors, or how traditional Mexican craftsmanship translates into cutting-edge hospitality design. If curiosity were a muscle, it would be the one that lets you adapt when the rules change, and in this era, the rules change every five minutes.
The Quiet Power of Humility
Now, humility doesn’t always get the best PR. It sounds like “shrinking yourself” or being endlessly deferential. But that’s not what I mean.
Humility, in its sharpest form, is about recognizing that you don’t know everything—and not needing to. It’s being open to learning from people who may not have your title, your experience, or your background, but who hold a piece of the puzzle you don’t. In design, I see it constantly: the factory worker who knows the exact grain of parota that will behave best, or the upholsterer who can tell you how a seam will age after years in the sun.
When you hire with humility in mind, you’re not just looking for someone who’s “a good fit.” You’re building a team where everyone can admit gaps, share knowledge, and grow without ego barricades. That humility creates the kind of trust where true collaboration can happen.
Curiosity + Humility = A Feedback Loop
Curiosity without humility can turn into arrogance—you’re interested in learning, but only to prove you’re the smartest in the room. Humility without curiosity risks stagnation—you’re modest, but you never push beyond what you already know.
Put the two together, though, and you’ve got a feedback loop for growth: curiosity sparks new learning, humility keeps you teachable, and each feeds the other. Suddenly, you’re not just “building skills”—you’re evolving as a person, and so is your team.
Rethinking Hiring Through This Lens
When I think about hiring (whether for design assistants, vendors, or collaborators), I no longer lead with “experience first.” Experience matters, but it can also be oddly limiting—people with ten years under their belt often bring ten years of habits they refuse to unlearn.
Instead, I look for the spark of curiosity. Do they ask questions that go beyond the checklist? Are they genuinely fascinated by the work, even the unglamorous parts? And then: humility. Do they talk about projects as if they were solely responsible, or do they acknowledge the team effort? Do they seem open to feedback, or defensive when you suggest another approach?
Hiring with curiosity and humility as top criteria is slower, sometimes. But the payoff is enormous. You end up with people who don’t just execute tasks—they expand the scope of what’s possible.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
The pace of change in our industries—design, business, even just life—means no one can keep up on knowledge alone. What we can control is how we approach the unknown. Curiosity lets us run toward it. Humility keeps us from tripping over our own egos.
Maybe that’s the shift we’re living through: away from the era of the know-it-all, and into the era of the learn-it-all.
A Final Thought
If you’re building your own skill set, cultivate curiosity. Read outside your lane, ask uncomfortable questions, follow your “what ifs” down the rabbit hole. And pair it with humility—the recognition that there’s always more to learn, and that wisdom often comes from unexpected sources.
If you’re hiring, don’t just check résumés for polished credentials. Listen for curiosity in the questions they ask you. Watch for humility in the way they talk about others.
Because curiosity and humility aren’t just “nice to have” traits anymore. They might be the very foundation of how we move forward—both as individuals and as teams.
