Stop being threatened. Start being curious.

Want to know a secret?

Curiosity is one of the most underrated skills in business.

Early in my corporate career, I realized that when I stepped back, asked questions, and worked to truly understand the bigger picture, I became a far better marketer. Why? Because I could distill complex information into simple, powerful stories that helped sell a product, solution, or even the entire company.

And here’s the kicker: this doesn’t just apply to marketing.
It applies to any role.

If you can take something complicated and break it down into plain language, you instantly set yourself apart. That’s how you make ideas more usable, more teachable, and ultimately, more valuable.

What to stop feeling threatened by smart, successful people?

From Intimidated to Inspired

I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some brilliant, wildly successful people. And if I’m honest, at times their brilliance felt… intimidating.

Maybe you’ve felt that too. You walk into a meeting with someone who’s lightyears ahead in knowledge or experience, and suddenly you shrink a little.

Here’s the mindset shift that changed everything:
Instead of seeing those people as competition, I started seeing them as teachers. Mentors. Allies.

That one switch—from threatened to curious—opened doors I couldn’t have planned for. New opportunities. New collaborations. New confidence.

Be a Student of the Industry

If you choose to be a student of your industry (not just your role), you’ll set yourself up for opportunities you can’t even see yet.

• Sometimes it leads to a new role.

• Sometimes it leads to a new company.

• And sometimes, it leads to starting your own business.

The people who intimidate you? Chances are, they have something valuable to teach you—if you’re humble enough to learn and curious enough to ask.

The Flip Side: Sharing What You Know

It goes both ways.

If someone comes to you with a learning mindset, be open enough to share what you know. Because the more allies you have, the more people in your corner who “get” what you get, the stronger your network becomes. Careers aren’t built in isolation.

Try This Shift Yourself

👉 In the video I share more about how I made this shift and how you can too.

For now, I’ll leave you with this:
Be humble enough to learn.
Be curious enough to ask.
Be bold enough to grow.

What are you planning to learn this month?

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