Radical Curiosity
Unlock the Power of an Open Mind
What if what you know is getting in the way of what you need to learn?
When we're young, we question everything. Yet as we age, our capacity for curiosity fades as we instead seek fast, easy certainty.
In short: we get complacent.
And that complacency holds us back from our true potential.
In Radical Curiosity, futurist and bestselling author Michael McQueen explores why the people who thrive in work and life aren't necessarily the smartest or most experienced. They're the most curious.
And why curiosity isn't something we need to learn as much as something we need to relearn.
SPECIAL BONUS: Pre-order today and get the 10-day Curiosity Kickstart video masterclass series FREE (RRP $39.95).
Why Do Some People Thrive in Uncertainty While Others Don't?
Having spent more than two decades helping leaders and teams navigate change, Michael McQueen has noticed a pattern.
The people who thrive in uncertainty aren't always those with the most knowledge or experience. They're the ones who remain curious.
In this short introduction to Radical Curiosity, Michael explains why staying open-minded has become so important and why we may need to retrain our brains to see uncertainty as an invitation rather than a threat.
Why Is Curiosity So Important in a Changing World?
Unlock the Power of an Open Mind
The reality is that the world is changing faster than ever. And in a world where no-one can be certain of what's coming next, our tendency to seek fast, easy answers can become a problem.
What we know can easily get in the way of what we still need to learn.
In Radical Curiosity, Michael explores why curiosity is such an important capability and how we can strengthen it.
Drawing on behavioural science, enlightening stories and practical prompts, the book will help you:
- Microdose novelty with small, deliberate challenges.
- Spot opportunities that others overlook.
- Lower the cost of changing your mind.
- Let go of the need to always have the answer.
- Prevent your experience from becoming a blind spot.
The good news is that curiosity isn't fixed. It's not something you either have or you don't have.
It's something you can strengthen.
SPECIAL BONUS: Pre-order today and get the 10-day Curiosity Kickstart video masterclass series FREE (RRP $39.95).
Why I Wrote Radical Curiosity
I didn't write this book because curiosity comes naturally to me. In fact, quite the opposite.
The ideas in this book are ones that I've had to learn the hard way.
Over the years, working with leaders and teams navigating change, I've become increasingly interested in why some people remain open to new ideas while others become more set in their ways.
As children, we're naturally curious. We ask questions, try things out and learn by exploring. But somewhere along the way, many of us lose that questioning nature.
We become more experienced, more knowledgeable and, often, more certain.
The challenge is that our experience can become a blind spot.
What I've discovered is that we can retrain ourselves to become more curious. We can get better at noticing things we normally overlook, staying open to different perspectives and becoming more comfortable with uncertainty.
That's what Radical Curiosity is all about.
— Michael McQueen
What Does It Take to Become More Curious?
There are some fascinating ideas explored in Radical Curiosity. Here are six questions worth thinking about.
The Curiosity Zone
Between overconfidence and overcaution lies what Michael calls the Curiosity Zone. It's the space where we're willing to question what we know without being overwhelmed by what we don't.
Preparedness Beats Prediction
We can't always predict what's coming next. But we can become better at dealing with whatever comes our way. Curiosity is an important part of that preparation.
The Two Minds
Our brains naturally prefer the familiar and predictable. Understanding why we seek certainty is an important first step in becoming more open to new ideas and experiences.
Microdosing Novelty
One of the most effective ways to strengthen curiosity is to introduce small doses of novelty into everyday life. These unfamiliar experiences can help us become more comfortable with uncertainty.
The Cost of Certainty
The more experienced we become, the easier it is to assume we already have the answers. Yet what we know can sometimes prevent us from recognising what we still need to learn.
Tomorrow Belongs to the Curious
Staying curious, remaining open-minded and being willing to change our thinking may be among the most important capabilities we can develop for the future.
SPECIAL BONUS: Pre-order today and get the 10-day Curiosity Kickstart video masterclass series FREE (RRP $39.95).
What's Your CQ?
You know about IQ. You've heard of EQ. But what's your CQ (Curiosity Quotient)?
Most of us would probably describe ourselves as curious.
But how willing are we to question something we've always believed? How comfortable are we with not having the answer? And when was the last time we deliberately tried something completely unfamiliar?
Inspired by the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas Friedman, your Curiosity Quotient (CQ) offers a way to gauge just how curious you really are.
Take Michael's 25-question Curiosity Quotient assessment and discover your curiosity score today.
Curiosity isn't fixed. And developing it doesn't need to be complicated.
Discover practical ways to rediscover your questioning nature in this 10-day video experience with Michael McQueen.
How Can You Become More Curious in Everyday Life?
INDI stands for I'd Never Do It. Because sometimes the smallest changes in what we do can change the way we think.
One of the ideas I've been exploring is something called Microdosing Novelty.
The idea is simple. If we want to become more comfortable with uncertainty, one of the best things we can do is introduce small, unfamiliar experiences into our everyday lives.
Things we wouldn't normally do. Experiences that take us out of our usual routines. Opportunities to be a beginner again.
The goal isn't to become brilliant at something new. It's to get comfortable being unfamiliar with something.
That's the thinking behind the INDI Project.
The project offers weekly prompts to help you try new experiences, challenge familiar habits and become more open to the unexpected.
About Michael McQueen
Michael McQueen is a globally-recognised futurist, bestselling author of 11 books and award-winning keynote speaker.
With offices in Sydney and New York, he has worked with organisations including Google, Toyota and Mastercard and presented to more than 500,000 people across five continents.
For more than two decades, Michael has helped leaders and teams understand change, challenge assumptions and prepare for what's next.
Radical Curiosity is his most personal book yet, exploring ideas and lessons he has had to learn himself.
“I want people to feel confident and curious about the future.”
Pre-Order Radical Curiosity
I've spent the past few years exploring what it really means to stay curious in a world that's changing so quickly.
I hope the book challenges some of what you think you know. It certainly did for me.
SPECIAL BONUS: Pre-order today and get the 10-day Curiosity Kickstart video masterclass series FREE (RRP $39.95).
Frequently Asked Questions About Radical Curiosity
What is Radical Curiosity by Michael McQueen about?
Radical Curiosity: Unlock the Power of an Open Mind explores why staying curious is one of the most important capabilities we can develop in a changing world. Drawing on behavioural science, stories and practical ideas, Michael McQueen explains how we can rediscover our natural curiosity, become more open-minded and learn to see uncertainty differently.
Can you learn to be more curious?
Yes. One of the central ideas in Radical Curiosity is that curiosity isn’t something we need to learn as much as something we need to relearn. As children, we’re naturally curious, but as we get older, we often become more comfortable with what we already know. The book explores practical ways to strengthen curiosity at any age.
Why do we become less curious as we get older?
As we gain knowledge and experience, we often become more certain of what we know. We develop familiar habits, seek predictable outcomes and become less willing to question our assumptions. Michael explores why this happens and how we can prevent our experience from becoming a blind spot.
What is Microdosing Novelty?
Microdosing Novelty is a technique Michael explores in Radical Curiosity. It involves introducing small, deliberate new experiences into everyday life. These experiences help us become more familiar with uncertainty and develop the habit of trying, noticing and learning something new.
Why is curiosity important for leaders?
Leaders are often expected to have the answers. But in times of rapid change, what we already know may not be enough. Curiosity allows leaders to question assumptions, remain open to different perspectives and notice opportunities they might otherwise overlook.
What is a Curiosity Quotient (CQ)?
Your Curiosity Quotient is a measure of how you approach curiosity, unfamiliar experiences and new ideas. Michael’s 25-question CQ assessment provides a snapshot of your current curiosity score and an opportunity to reflect on how open-minded you are.
When is Michael McQueen's Radical Curiosity being released?
Radical Curiosity: Unlock the Power of an Open Mind is launching in February 2027, and pre-orders are open now.