5 simple rules for curious leaders (IHI, 22 September 2023)

Summary

In this interview, Derek Feeley, IHI President Emeritus and Senior Fellow shares the work of the Health Improvement Alliance Europe (HIAE) workgroup related to curiosity. He outlines five simple rules linked to complexity theory, which states that if you are trying to make sense of a complex situation, you should create simple, order-generating rules.

The five simple rules are:

1. Ask rather than tell.
2. Listen to understand rather than to respond.
3. Hear every voice rather than only those easiest to hear. 
4. Prioritise problem framing rather than problem solving.
5. Treat vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness.