The power of curiosity is often underestimated in our quest for success. When Robert Herjavec met Charlie Munger, the legendary investor taught him a profound lesson about the value of asking questions that can transform both personal and financial lives.
When Herjavec first encountered Munger, he was completely starstruck. Here was a man whose investment wisdom had shaped markets and mentored countless professionals. Herjavec had prepared a mental list of questions about Munger’s life philosophy and investment strategies, eager to extract every ounce of wisdom from this financial giant.
But something unexpected happened. Before Herjavec could launch into his interrogation, Charlie began questioning him. He wanted to know about Herjavec’s background, his experiences on Shark Tank, his parents, and how the show operated. Herjavec was surprised to discover Munger was a fan of the program!
This interaction revealed something profound: even at his level of success and age, Charlie maintained an insatiable curiosity about people and the world. His questions weren’t superficial—they were thoughtful and showed genuine interest.
The Wealth-Building Power of Questions
What struck Herjavec most was how Charlie’s curiosity seemed directly connected to his success. Throughout his career, Munger had asked better questions than most, leading him to better answers and ultimately better investments.
This pattern isn’t unique to Charlie. Herjavec noticed that the most successful entrepreneurs and investors share this trait: they ask questions others don’t think to ask. They probe deeper, challenge assumptions, and remain genuinely interested in understanding how things work.
The financial benefits of curiosity manifest in several ways:
- Identifying opportunities others miss because you’re asking different questions
- Building stronger business relationships through genuine interest in others
- Developing deeper market insights by questioning conventional wisdom
- Making fewer costly mistakes by thoroughly investigating before investing
Beyond these practical benefits, curiosity creates a mindset that’s always learning and growing. In business, stagnation equals death. The curious mind stays nimble and adaptive in changing markets.
Curiosity About People: The Ultimate Investment
A pastor friend once told Herjavec, “You will never find anything in life as fascinating as another human being.” This wisdom has proven true throughout his career.
Herjavec found that his natural curiosity about people—not just the wealthy and powerful, but everyone—has been one of his greatest assets. This interest isn’t feigned; he genuinely finds people fascinating. Their stories, perspectives, and experiences offer endless learning opportunities.
This approach has helped him in business negotiations, understanding market needs, and building teams. When you truly listen to people and ask thoughtful questions, you gain insights that no market research report could provide.
Some practical ways to cultivate this people-focused curiosity include:
- Asking open-ended questions that can’t be answered with a simple yes or no
- Practicing active listening without planning your next response
- Following up on interesting points rather than rushing to the next topic
- Showing genuine interest in diverse perspectives, especially those different from yours
The beauty of this approach is that it costs nothing but yields tremendous returns in both business intelligence and relationship building.
Cultivating Profitable Curiosity
Herjavec’s meeting with Charlie reinforced that the key to good answers is great questions. This principle applies whether you’re evaluating an investment, interviewing a job candidate, or negotiating a deal.
Too many people focus on having all the answers, when the real advantage comes from asking better questions. The most successful people Herjavec knows aren’t necessarily the smartest—they’re the most curious. They approach problems with genuine wonder rather than presumed expertise.
For entrepreneurs and investors, this means questioning market assumptions, business models, and even your own strategies. The moment you think you have all the answers is precisely when you should be asking more questions.
The old saying that “curiosity killed the cat” couldn’t be more wrong in business. Rather, as Herjavec learned from Charlie, curiosity makes you richer and more informed. It’s the secret weapon hiding in plain sight—available to anyone willing to embrace the power of a good question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can curiosity directly impact financial success?
Curiosity drives financial success by helping you spot overlooked opportunities, develop deeper market insights, and build stronger business relationships. Curious people tend to investigate thoroughly before investing, which helps them avoid costly mistakes and identify unique angles that others miss.
Q: What made Charlie Munger’s approach to curiosity different?
What stood out about Charlie Munger was that despite his legendary status, he remained genuinely interested in learning from others. Instead of talking about himself when meeting new people, he asked thoughtful questions and listened intently. This approach likely contributed to his investment success by constantly expanding his knowledge base and perspectives.
Q: How can someone develop better questioning skills?
To develop better questioning skills, focus on asking open-ended questions that can’t be answered with yes or no. Practice active listening without planning your next response. Follow up on interesting points rather than moving to the next topic. Most importantly, approach conversations with genuine interest rather than trying to demonstrate your own knowledge.
Q: Is curiosity a natural trait or can it be developed?
While some people may naturally be more curious than others, curiosity is definitely a trait that can be developed. You can cultivate curiosity by making a conscious effort to wonder about things, challenging your assumptions, exploring new subjects, and practicing the art of asking questions. Like any skill, it improves with consistent practice and genuine effort.
