Curiosity Is Your Superpower: Build Trust by Asking Better Questions

We’ve all been in that meeting—you know the one. Someone launches into a well-rehearsed monologue about what they do, how successful they are, and why their solution is exactly what we need.

And if we’re being honest, we’ve probably all been that person at some point.

I know—you just made that face, didn’t you?

No shame. It’s easy to default to talking at someone when you’re trying to be helpful or persuasive. But the most powerful communicators approach those conversations differently.

They ask questions.
They listen.
They get curious.

And the kicker? They mean it.

We live in a world where trust is currency. Genuine curiosity—and authentic interest in understanding your audience first—is one of the most underrated assets that will absolutely change the game, whether you’re in finance, sales, coaching, leadership, or anything in between.

Why Curiosity Works

When someone feels seen and heard, the dynamic shifts. They lean in. They open up.
They trust you.

And if you just rolled your eyes… unroll them. That’s not some woo-woo fluff from your friend the life coach. It’s neuroscience.

According to the Harvard Business Review, when we feel like someone is genuinely interested in us, our brains release oxytocin—the same neurochemical that strengthens social bonds and increases cooperation.

Additionally, a study from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who ask more questions—especially follow-ups—are perceived as more likable and more competent.

Who doesn’t want to be likable, competent, and seen as a good collaborator?
That’s a win in any client conversation or professional interaction.

Be Interested, Not Just Interesting

You don’t need to prove your value or flex your expertise (though there’s a time and place for that).
There’s power in show versus tell.

When you’re fully present and ask questions that signal: “Hey, I actually want to know what matters to you,” you create space for them to open up and share.

Instead of waiting for the perfect opening to insert your perfect pitch (not to be confused with Pitch Perfect), you explore real problems and uncover what they truly value.

Guess what? Now you’ve built trust, connection, and loyalty.

Spoiler Alert: You also have way more context to deliver a soft pitch that directly addresses their real challenges and values—all because you led with curiosity.

Funny how that works, eh?

Strategic Curiosity:

How to Ask Questions That Steer the Conversation (Without Hijacking It)

Time to get tactical.

Great questions don’t just open people up—they also guide conversations in a direction that serves both of you. Think of it as strategic curiosity (should I trademark that?).

You’re not manipulating. You’re just choosing purposeful curiosity.

Here are a few examples of questions that show genuine interest and move the conversation forward:

In a Networking Setting:

• “What made you decide to do this work?”

• “What are you most excited about in your business?”

• “What challenge are you working through right now?”

• “Who would you love to meet?”

These invite storytelling, build rapport, and offer insight into how you might help, add value, or connect them with someone in your network.

In a Sales Call:

• “When you think about success 12 months from now, what does that look like?”

• “Where do you need support?” (Follow up with: “Where else do you need support?”)

• “Where are you feeling most stuck or frustrated right now?”

• “What’s something you’ve tried before that didn’t quite work?” (Follow up with: “Why do you think that was?”)

These move the conversation past surface-level pain points and into your client’s real needs, hopes, and goals. The secret is: be genuinely curious and willing to follow the thread deeper—like peeling back the layers of an onion.

Peel that stuff back, y’all!

Here’s the magic: when you’re truly curious, you earn the right to be heard.

That’s right.

Listen to hear—then be heard. You’ll be surprised by how much more your insight, advice, and even your offer lands when the person in front of you feels known.

And the best part? You didn’t even have to do most of the talking. You’ve built trust and authority simply by being the safe space where someone else could process out loud.

That’s the power of speaking with people—not at them.

The Bottom Line

We’ve been trained to show up polished, prepared, and persuasive—and that matters to a point.

But relationship-building will always take you farther than transactional interactions.

And those relationships? They’re built on trust. They feel better, last longer, and drive more value—for everyone.

Curiosity wins. Collaboration wins. Every time.

So be interested.
Ask thoughtful questions.
And watch what happens when you shift from a one-way broadcast to a two-way conversation.

Written by Angie Callen – Angie is a career coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Career Benders, Inc. and The Modern Coach. A recovering engineer turned people-first strategist, she empowers high-achieving professionals and passionate coaches to find clarity, confidence, and direction in their work and life. Angie brings a practical, human-centered approach to coaching and communication, rooted in authenticity and real results.

For more information:

Instagram (@angieonanadventure) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiecallen/).

Website: https://www.careerbenders.com