One idea I keep coming back to in my work with lawyers and accountants is the power of staying curious. This came up in a recent training I took, but it is something I have practiced for a long time. Curiosity is a helpful mindset for learning and an effective tool for marketing and business development.
Lead with Curiosity in Conversations
When you meet someone at an event or sit down with a potential client, genuine curiosity keeps the conversation engaging. People feel more motivated to stay in the discussion, and they usually remember you. It is similar to reading a good book. At the end of each chapter, a slight cliffhanger keeps you reading. You can create that same feeling by leaving room for follow-up.
Instead of sharing everything at once, try saying:
- I would love to talk more about this next time
- Let me follow up with more details when we meet again
- I have someone in mind who could be helpful, and I will share more in our next conversation
These small points of curiosity keep the relationship moving forward.
Stay Curious with Your Own Learning
Curiosity is also essential for your personal growth. In a seminar, you can easily spot the people who think they already know the material and mentally check out. On the other hand, the people who stay open and curious always take something meaningful away. Curiosity creates space for learning, innovation, and new perspectives, which directly support your success in business development.
Let Curiosity Reduce the Overwhelm
Curiosity can also be a powerful antidote to the overwhelm many people feel around business development. When you approach business development with pressure or perfectionism, it becomes heavy. But when you approach it with curiosity, the process feels lighter and more manageable. Instead of thinking I have to do everything, curiosity helps you shift into “What if I just try this one thing,” or “I wonder what will happen if I reach out to this person today.”
To support that mindset shift, it helps to have a clear process. Start with one master list of everything on your plate. Then, each week, choose three items to focus on for business development. Only three. You can even let curiosity guide your choices. Ask yourself:
- Which task feels the most interesting right now
- Which outreach could lead to something unexpected
- Which step feels easiest to start with
Once you pick your three, put them directly on your calendar. I know if it is not on my calendar, it does not exist. Give yourself the actual time it takes, too. Thoughtful outreach or follow-up almost always takes longer than you think.
Build Momentum with One Small Daily Action
Consistency is key, and curiosity makes consistency easier. When you stay curious about your relationships and opportunities, small daily actions feel less like obligations and more like natural touchpoints.
Some ideas include:
- A quick email, text, or LinkedIn message
- A comment on a post
- Scheduling a coffee or lunch
- Attending a short networking event
You can also stack this habit with something you already do. Pair your morning coffee with one small outreach. When you tie business development to an existing routine, it becomes part of your day instead of something overwhelming on your list.
Curiosity, consistency, and simple habits can make business development feel lighter, more natural, and far more doable.
If staying consistent with business development or putting a clear plan in place feels challenging, you do not have to navigate it alone. A partner like Lotus Growth Business Consultants can help you create a strategy that feels achievable and supports your goals. Learn more about how we help professionals grow and connect with us on LinkedIn.