Curiosity > Fear: Reclaiming Clear Thinking in High-Stakes Moments

When was the last time someone told you that you asked a great question?

If it’s been a while, you’re not alone. In today’s fast-paced culture, we tend to value answers over questions. But here’s the catch—transformational answers often begin with the questions we dare to ask.

The Cost of Avoidance

Fear is the greatest threat to curiosity. The two can’t coexist. Our brains are wired for survival, which means we need to feel safe before we can get curious.

Curiosity doesn’t work on demand. We have to be intentional about avoiding an amygdala hijack. Once that hijack kicks in, we shift into survival mode—and survival doesn’t prioritize curiosity.

Think about it: if you touch a hot stove, you don’t pause to consider the best way to remove your hand. You just react. That’s exactly what your nervous system is built to do in truly unsafe situations.

But what happens when the trigger isn’t physical danger—just a tense glance from a colleague? If we interpret that look as a threat, our body responds as if we’re in real danger. And in that state, we lose access to clear thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving.

When Fear Meets Curiosity

When curiosity outweighs fear, something powerful happens. Brain fog lifts. Focus sharpens. We regain access to clear, calm thinking.The body relaxes. We feel lighter, more grounded—and ready to act on bold ideas.

The Missing Link: Somatic Awareness

This is where somatic awareness comes in. The 3N Model™: Notice, Name, Navigate offers a simple, powerful way to shift from fear to curiosity in real time.

Notice:
Notice the moment when curiosity fades. What do you feel in your body? Tightness in your chest? Knots in your stomach? A surge of heat?

Name:
What kind of fear might this represent? Fear of being wrong? Worry about being judged? Anxious about upsetting someone?

Navigate
From the first physical cue, you have six seconds to choose curiosity over reactivity. This is your choice point. Is this truly unsafe—or simply uncomfortable? That one distinction determines whether your critical thinking stays online or momentarily shuts down.

Take Action

If it’s been too long since you asked a powerful question, check out Jeff Wetzler’s book Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Breakthroughs in Leadership and Life. His Ask Approach is a practical framework for turning curiosity into a leadership superpower.

And if you want to build the capacity to choose curiosity—especially when your body is pulling you into survival mode—Somatic Awareness: Leading with Body Intelligence is a great place to start.

Let curiosity move from concept to practice. Lead with it—and watch what opens up.