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#13 How Curiosity Fuels Arts Organizations: Insights from Michael Greer, CEO of ArtsFund

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Curiosity at Work: Michael Greer on Leadership and Innovation in the Arts Sector

Michael Greer, CEO of ArtsFund, joins Dr. Julie Pham on the Curiosity at Work podcast to explore how curiosity drives leadership in the arts sector. As the CEO of ArtsFund, Michael oversees grant-making, capacity building, and advocacy for over 800 arts organizations across Washington State. In this episode, he shares how curiosity helps him manage a hybrid team, balance the needs of grassroots organizations with larger entities, and lead through uncertain times.

Fostering Curiosity and Innovation in the Arts

Michael highlights the importance of creating an environment where innovation is encouraged, and failure is seen as an opportunity to learn. By fostering curiosity, organizations can better adapt and thrive, even during challenging times. He explains how curiosity helps the arts sector move forward by driving new ideas and solutions.

Navigating Uncertainty and Embracing New Technologies

Drawing from his global experience in arts and business leadership, Michael discusses how curiosity plays a critical role in overcoming uncertainty. Arts organizations today face many challenges, but curiosity can help them thrive. Michael shares how ArtsFund goes beyond providing financial support. They also focus on leadership and collaboration across the sector. Additionally, he urges arts leaders to embrace new technologies and entertainment formats. Rather than viewing these changes as competition, they should see them as opportunities to engage new audiences.

Strategies for Cultivating Curiosity and Resilience

Michael’s leadership journey has been shaped by diverse experiences. From his early career as a professional ballet dancer to his time working in China and India, his journey reflects the power of curiosity. He shares practical strategies for cultivating curiosity within teams. His leadership philosophy encourages his team to ask questions, experiment, and embrace calculated risks. These strategies help build innovation and resilience in the arts sector.

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#12 How Curiosity Fuels HR Leadership and Talent Strategy: Insights from Britt Provost, CHRO of Siteimprove

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In this episode of Curiosity at Work, host Dr. Julie Pham talks with Britt Provost, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Siteimprove. A seasoned HR professional, Britt has over 20 years of experience in global technology. She creates progressive career experiences through her HR team’s efforts. She believes curiosity is essential to HR leadership and talent development.

Britt’s leadership approach is rooted in curiosity. She sees it as vital for success in fast-paced tech environments. Curiosity helps leaders and teams adapt and stay open to new ideas. It encourages risk-taking and learning from challenges. This mindset is especially valuable in global technology.

During the discussion, Britt and Dr. Pham talk about the challenges of leading global teams. Global teams often span different time zones, cultures, and communication styles. Britt emphasizes how a curious mindset fosters better decision-making and creativity. Encouraging curiosity allows employees to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and stay open to new perspectives.

Britt also highlights the need for structured approaches. These approaches empower employees to engage with curiosity. Leaders can provide tools and frameworks to foster curiosity, driving sustained growth. Britt reflects on how curiosity has shaped her leadership style and organizational cultures throughout her career.

Listeners will gain insights into how curiosity shapes Britt’s leadership philosophy. Britt focuses on people development and strategic HR. Her insights are relevant for leaders in fast-moving industries like tech. Continuous learning, adaptability, and open dialogue are crucial in these environments. Curiosity is not just beneficial—it is vital for long-term success.

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#BrittProvost #Siteimprove #HRLeadership #CuriosityAtWork #TechIndustry #Leadership #CareerDevelopment #Innovation #WorkplaceCulture #PodcastInterview #TalentStrategy #ProfessionalGrowth

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#9 How Curiosity Drives Seattle’s Future: A Conversation with Rico Quirindongo on City Planning and Innovation

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In the latest episode of Curiosity at Work, host Dr. Julie Pham welcomes Rico Quirindongo, the Director of the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) for the City of Seattle. Together, they dive into how curiosity shapes the workplace and the dynamic role it plays in city planning. Rico shares insights into the structure of his office, which comprises 50 people, including planners and finance experts, working across divisions like equitable development and land-use policy. Their mission is to shape the future of Seattle in a way that balances sustainability, community needs, and growth.

Rico discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing curiosity with the pragmatism required in the political landscape. As a department heavily scrutinized by both local and international audiences, OPCD constantly navigates the tension between innovative problem-solving and meeting public expectations. He also touches on how the team works both remotely and in-person to foster collaboration, while keeping an eye on their goal of shaping Seattle into a livable, thriving city.

The episode highlights some of the critical projects undertaken by OPCD, such as working with different stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for transit hubs. Rico illustrates the complexity of these projects, where multiple stakeholders, timelines, and budgetary constraints must align. Despite the challenges, he emphasizes that curiosity remains a vital tool for navigating the intricacies of city development, even when political pressures demand concrete results.

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