Discover how curiosity, prioritization, and self-awareness help CEOs execute effectively, align teams, and scale smarter.
Read time: 6.51 minutes.
Read this on: jeanmoncrieff.com
What's in store for today:
- The fish rots from the head down.
- Is it time to exit?
- Brewing creativity.
Hey There,
What’s holding you back as a leader? Are you asking the right questions or just trying to have all the answers?
This week, I sat down with Patrick Thean, an international speaker, CEO coach, and bestselling author, to uncover two simple ideas that can completely change how you lead: curiosity and execution.
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As Patrick puts it...
“Leadership starts with humility and curiosity–it's all about asking, not telling.”
Curiosity helps us uncover blind spots, build trust with our team, and see challenges from a fresh perspective.
It’s about staying open, even when we think we know the answers.
And when it comes to execution?
It’s not just about having a plan—it’s about delivering on your promises. As Patrick points out, “Businesses don’t fail because of bad strategy—they fail because they struggle to deliver.”
In this week’s episode, you’ll learn how to:
- Lead with curiosity to inspire and connect with your team.
- Prioritize what truly matters and stay focused.
- Equip your team to execute at a level that drives real results.
🎧 Catch the full conversation on The Freedom Experience:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify
1. The fish rots from the head down
Patrick doesn’t mince words about where the problem lies in many companies: “The fish rots from the head down.”
It’s a cold, hard reminder that leadership starts with accountability. If something isn’t working in your business, the first place to look is the mirror.
As leaders, we often let our egos block progress. We think we need to have all the answers, but Patrick reminds us that true leadership isn’t about having answers—it’s about asking the right questions and setting the tone for your team to follow.
Here are a few more nuggets of wisdom from this week's conversation with Patrick Thean...
Curiosity keeps you growing 🤔
Great leaders stay curious. When you stop asking questions, you start missing opportunities. Patrick pointed out that “knowledge and experience can kill curiosity.”
Instead, ask yourself, “What don’t I know?”
He approaches every interaction with genuine curiosity. Whether coaching CEOs or having dinner with his wife, he asks, “What don’t I know about this person?” This habit has helped him uncover blind spots, deepen trust, and nurture meaningful connections.
Curiosity isn’t just for problem-solving; it’s crucial for hiring, too. Look for candidates who ask thoughtful questions during interviews—they’re more likely to bring fresh perspectives to your team.
Think, Plan, Do
As CEOs and business owners, we’re often juggling one challenge after another. It’s easy to slip into reactive mode, but those knee-jerk decisions can have unexpected consequences down the line.
Patrick’s Think, Plan, Do methodology encourages leaders to slow down, reflect, and act with purpose.
- Think: Take a moment to pause and focus on what truly matters. Instead of reacting to every fire, ask yourself, “What’s the best way to approach this?”
- Plan: Once your priorities are clear, bring your team together to align and map out actionable steps. This ensures everyone is working toward the same goal.
- Do: With a solid plan in place, execute with precision and stay focused on what drives results, avoiding distractions that derail progress.
Taking the time to think first might feel counterintuitive when faced with urgent demands. Still, that deliberate pause can help you sidestep costly mistakes and make smarter, more effective decisions under pressure.
Destination postcard đź’Ś
Patrick’s Destination Postcard exercise is a simple yet powerful tool for visualizing success and aligning teams. Here’s how it works:
Imagine you’ve fast-forwarded to the end of the year, and it’s been a remarkable success. Picture yourself looking back from that future moment and describing what made the year so great, speaking in the past tense as if it has already happened.
For example, you might say:
- “We achieved our revenue goals by focusing on key priorities.”
- “The team executed flawlessly on our top initiatives, and morale is at an all-time high.”
- “Our customer satisfaction scores reached a new record, and referrals doubled.”
By framing the vision this way, you’re not just setting goals—you’re creating a vivid mental picture of what success looks like. This makes it easier to:
- Identify key milestones needed to reach that vision.
- Align your team around shared priorities.
- Anticipate potential obstacles and plan how to overcome them.
Patrick emphasizes that not everyone naturally visualizes success, but the Destination Postcard exercise helps bring clarity and focus to the team.
It’s a collaborative way to turn abstract goals into tangible outcomes and ensure everyone works toward the same future.
💡 Write a Destination Postcard with your team describing your vision of success. Seal it in an envelope and open it together at the end of the year to see how far you’ve come.
Lead with questions, not answers
Asking the right questions is more valuable than having the right answers. When leaders focus on learning and collaboration, they inspire their teams to innovate and grow.
Vulnerability is also key. Leaders who admit they don’t have all the answers create an environment of trust and open communication. As Patrick puts it, “If you’re not willing to grow yourself, you can’t expect your team to grow.”
Key Takeaways
- Stay curious to uncover blind spots and drive innovation.
- Execute effectively by prioritizing and aligning your team.
- Visualize success to stay focused and avoid distractions.
Leadership is about consistent action and thoughtful questions. Ready to level up? Start by asking yourself, “What don’t I know?”
2. Is It Time to Exit?
Many business owners reach a stage where their business feels more like a burden than an opportunity. If you’re thinking about an exit, it’s essential to align your timing, motivations, and strategy.
This week’s article breaks down how to:
- Clarify your "why" and prepare for a successful exit.
- Maximize value by reducing risks and showcasing growth potential.
- Build the right team to navigate the transition smoothly.
Freedom isn’t just financial—it’s about creating the life you truly want.
đź“– Read more ->
3. Brewing Creativity
🚨 What Kombucha Taught Me About Business Trends
This weekend, I joined a Kombucha workshop at Atelier Zobel Zurich, diving into the world of fermentation and creativity with Patrick Switzer, founder of nĂżcha.
While learning the delicate balance of brewing this refreshing, non-alcoholic drink, I couldn’t help but think about its growing role in shifting consumer habits—and what it means for businesses.
The rise of “sober curious” lifestyles and the demand for high-quality, alternative beverages aren’t just trends; they’re reshaping business models.
Restaurants, bars, and hotels are feeling the impact as younger generations prioritize moderation, creativity, and wellness over traditional alcoholic options.
Drinks like Kombucha offer an opportunity: they’re versatile and experiential and cater to this growing preference for thoughtful consumption.
For business owners, this shift isn’t just about adding non-alcoholic options to menus; it’s about recognizing the larger trend of value-driven choices.
Customers are willing to pay for premium alternatives that align with their lifestyles, as evidenced by the popularity of $15 alcohol-free cocktails or $30 glasses of wine that emphasize quality over quantity.
Taking the time to brew something as simple as Kombucha reminded me that success often lies in understanding and adapting to what customers value today.
Whether you’re running a restaurant or leading a team, the lesson is the same: listen to evolving needs, embrace creativity, and innovate to meet the moment.
If you approach new trends with the same care and curiosity as crafting the perfect batch of Kombucha, you could uncover your next big growth opportunity waiting to take shape.
I took home my first batch of Kombucha, named Dave. I figure I'll name my upcoming Kombucha experiments after my favorite Minions.
Foundation for Business Growth Workshops
If you’re ready to go beyond the chaos and implement a system to propel your business forward, join a Foundation for Business Growth Workshop.
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- Build a clear and actionable strategy,
- Align your team around shared goals, and
- Create the systems needed to execute consistently and confidently.
The workshop includes a keynote by Shannon Byrne Susko, founder of Metronomics and a globally recognized expert on scaling businesses.
Space is limited, so don’t wait—secure your spot today and make 2025 the year you transform your business.
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One quote to start the week strong
"Leadership starts with humility and curiosity—it’s all about asking, not telling."
– Patrick Thean
In leadership, it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you need to have all the answers. But true growth comes from asking the right questions and staying curious about what you don’t yet know.
This week, challenge yourself to embrace curiosity.
What questions have you been avoiding?
What could you learn if you stopped to listen?
Have a great week!
- Jean
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