Curiosity killed the Cat - or so they say!

August 20, 2025

That old proverb?

A clever scolding for anyone asking too many questions — as if curiosity itself is dangerous business best left alone.

Sure, it literally suggests a curious cat might wander into trouble… or act like it owns the place, strutting across every forbidden countertop with zero remorse.

But culturally? This idiom has done something far worse: it has turned curiosity into a social offense…risky, reckless, even downright rude — like showing up to a meeting in pajama pants.

My response? Be curious anyway. Channel your inner mythbuster!
In fact, be as curious as a five-year-old — ask “why?” until even Siri gives up!

Children show us how it’s done:

Eager to explore — every mud puddle finds a two-year-old… and a parent who just gave up!

Gifted with imagination — cardboard boxes become spaceships or castles… or luxury apartments for stuffed animals!

Fearless in failure — fall, pop back up, repeat… this time with more enthusiasm and fewer pants!

Playful as a puppy — peeing everywhere… like it’s their job, and business is booming!

So next time you hear “Curiosity killed the cat,” just smile — curiosity didn’t kill the leader… it made them.

Here’s the real problem:
That saying? It’s infected far too many organizations, fueling:

Avoidance of uncomfortable questions — let’s not dig too deep, we might find feelings

Surface-level interactions — smile, nod, drop a buzzword or two, then slowly back away from hard conversations like it’s a live grenade… with the pin already pulled!  

But great leaders?

They lean in — even when it’s awkward, messy, or reveals just how much we don’t know, and how much we’ve been pretending we do.

They stay curious:

About people: What gets my team out of bed each day — other than Honey Nut Cheerios, caffeine, and doomscrolling? What’s their hidden superpower? 

About systems: Why do we do it this way? Is it working, or is this whole thing held together with duct tape, expired snacks, and wild optimism?   

Because here’s the thing:
A leader who fears curiosity becomes like that office plant nobody waters — slowly wilting, looking important… but quietly dying — and getting replaced by a plastic plant nobody dusts!

So, let’s flip the script:

Curiosity grows the leader.
Curiosity grows your people.
Curiosity even grows your cat — just ask it.

Curiosity is your leadership superpower — it’s what keeps you sharp, keeps you human, and keeps your team from becoming zombies with laptops.

And remember:
The truly dangerous thing isn’t curiosity…it’s pretending you already know everything.

So stay curious… because the world doesn’t need more plastic plants — it needs living leaders!

Todd Rutkowski

Read more reflections like "Curiosity Killed the Cat" in my free ebook called “Lifelines.” Get Lifelines