In the new book “A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life,” Hollywood producer Brian Grazer (“Apollo 13” and “A Beautiful Mind” to name just two of his movies) and co-writer, Charles Fishman, explore the joys of curiosity and its power to transform lives. Long before he became one of Hollywood’s most successful producers, Grazer was creating opportunities to meet and ask questions of people who, at the time, were well above his pay grade. It’s an endeavor he continues to pursue today, albeit with a good deal more entrée to notable business and world leaders.
“I especially think questions are a great management tool when I think someone isn’t doing what I would hope they would, or when I think something isn’t going in the direction I want it to go.
“People often imagine that if there’s going to be conflict, they need to start with a firm hand, they need to remind people of the chain of command. I’m never worried about who is in charge. I’m worried about making sure we get the best possible decision, the best possible casting, script, movie trailer, financing deal, the best possible movie.”
If asking questions isn’t your style, the approach may puzzle people at first, Grazer warns. And be prepared to have it slow things down. He suggests picking a project and managing it with questions. He also cautions that the questions and the answers have to be driving a project or a decision forward.
“The questions have to come from genuine curiosity. If you’re not curious enough to listen to the answer, all the question does is increase cynicism and decrease trust and engagement.”
