Approaching Corners With Curiosity

Every so often I walk my dog at a local park with rustic trails that weave in and out of wooded areas and marshland. There is a curve on one of the well-worn paths where oncoming foot, bicycle, or small critter traffic is hidden from view for at least 10-15 steps. Each time I approach that area, I pull my dog in closer on his lead and walk to the side of the path in anticipation of a human coming toward us from the other direction or a chipmunk scurrying across the hidden, from our view, portion of the path. Most often there is nothing there but every so often we encounter a runner coming our way at full speed or a rabbit nibbling greenery both of which are typically startled by our presence on the path.

Is this an indicator that I’ve heeded the sage wisdom of my earlier career leaders and honed my ability to “see around corners?” My experience with that place on the trail has certainly created a learned behavior to take steps to prepare for the possibility of something coming toward my dog and me. Yet I don’t know that if it is that easy to create an equation of experience necessarily equaling foresight.

For a long while in my career, I bought into the notion of developing the skill to “see around corners” and the net result was me at my least creative, engaged, and curious. I had refined my approach to be one of certainty rather than curiosity. It took a well-timed conversation with one of my supervisors that helped me understand that discernment rather than conviction would be a better guide into the future.

Her point being that if I spent more time asking questions, seeking to understand that which was opaque or obscure, the more I would understand about culture, people, and the decisions they were making or refusing to make. Further, the discipline of discernment has helped me understand my own motivations, drivers, and choices. “Seeing around corners” is about reflecting on the past, considering possible avenues, and remaining open to the input and experience of others to help in my choice-making. 

“Seeing around corners” suggests that the future can be anticipated with precision if we only gather enough information or experience. Yet most corners in our lives do not somewhat predictably present like that bend in the park trail. They are shaped by people, context, and shifting priorities—elements that rarely repeat themselves exactly.

Discernment, by contrast, keeps the field open. It asks better questions: What might I be missing? What else could be true? Who sees this differently than I do? It allows experience to inform judgment without allowing it to harden into certainty.

The future rarely rewards those who are most convinced they know what is coming. It seems to favor those who remain attentive, adaptive, and willing to revise their view as new information appears.

Walking that curved trail in my life, career and with my dog has taught me less about predicting what lies ahead and more about approaching uncertainty with steadiness. The corner does not need to be conquered; it needs to be navigated.

Questions for Reflection

1. Where in your work are you relying on certainty when curiosity might serve you better?

2. What “corner” are you currently approaching, and what questions could help you navigate it with greater discernment?