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Curiosity

Posted by Donald J. Trump on 7/31/2009 at 6:31 PM
Posted in Leadership

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that curiosity is a good way to stay stimulated and informed as well as young. Ever notice that children are curious about everything? That’s how they learn and the same thing should apply to adults.

People have often commented that I ask a lot of questions, which is true, and it’s one way I’ve learned a lot. I can remember when I was deciding on what type of bathroom sink to install in a new property, so I kept three samples on a sofa in my front offices. I would ask everyone who came in which sink they liked best--and why--and I did the same when deciding what kind of chair to choose for a new ballroom I was building. I was genuinely interested in their comments, and while the final decision on real estate investing was mine, I had a lot of perspectives to consider and felt I could make a very informed decision. People were surprised I took such an interest in their opinions--as well as seeing sinks and chairs lined up in my offices--but details matter to me and their opinions mattered as well.

Curiosity also provides a starting point for discovery. It’s a bit like research--once you find something of interest, the natural inclination is to learn more about it. Sometimes it may not have anything to do with your current endeavor, but it can broaden your understanding. I don’t believe any knowledge is wasted. My interests are diverse largely because I’m curious, which has certainly helped me as a businessman.

Before I attended Wharton, I had considered studying film at USC. The entertainment business had interested me so I knew something about it, and continued to watch it as an industry. Little did I know that years later I would have a hit television show--but when that happened, I had some background to rely on. My early curiosity paid off. I had a great deal to learn, but this is one reason I emphasize the importance of learning everything you can along the way. You never know when it will be useful. As Albert Einstein stated: The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

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Donald J. Trump is Chairman of Trump University.

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16 Comments

Posted by MitchM on 08/01/2009 12:07 PM

"I had a lot of perspectives to consider and felt I could make a very informed decision. People were surprised I took such an interest in their opinions--as well as seeing sinks and chairs lined up in my offices--but details matter to me and their opinions mattered as well." -- Donald Trump

My wife and I work together well - she is that detailed person and I am the big picture person BUT in reality we attack both to make what we do happen.

Nothing beats being a grown up kid hangin out in the playground of life. I don't care if you're dressed in a suit or business casual, shorts or golf ware - it's that attitude that produces the results of what you put into play.

Good advice Mr. Trump.

Mike Michelozzi

Posted by member1815053 on 08/01/2009 1:44 PM

I agree also that curiosity is one of the most important thing when you think about learning. Life itself has already many varieties that you should know or learn and think. You learn also when you do mistakes or when you are successfull and other peoples opinion have a great role when you are making your own decisions. It is stressfull to make decisions on your own when your decisions have effects to other peoples life. Especially then you must consider all the possibilities carefully but you must remember that there is always also persons who do not like the choices you make.

I am a very curious person, I know that, and I think it have had a positive influence to my life. My curiosity has opened me many new possibilities and situations that has carried me forward in my career or in my life. You must be also prepared to unexpected situations.

I also respect others choice to do things, you can not steer very much others way of thinking, you can only give them possibilities and thinkable advices to do things in a different way. I have learned that little by little.

I like nowadays to be in moving to something new and different, if it brings happiness to me, allthough respecting "those lucky days".

Posted by member11000548 on 08/02/2009 4:46 AM

So true! Curiosity is indeed a human characteristic that can lead to lifetime success and adventure. About ten years ago, I became curious about public speaking and seminars even though I was engaged in the field of internet marketing. But my curiosity about public speaking allowed me to ignore my own fear and doubts and scheduled my own first event. The rest is history and I am now on stage with best speakers in business such as Mr. Trump, Tony Robbins and others. If it was not for my curiosity, I would still be in awe of other speakers. Thank you for a great article. Regards,

Koz Khosravani
www.KozWealthSystems.com

Posted by Alf J. Lundgren on 08/02/2009 5:57 AM

Well, curiosity is a part of you. If you don't have it, you are probably dead.

Posted by Rachael Sutton #1253595 on 08/02/2009 12:39 PM

This is one of your strengths, being curious, and then asking questions, but not only questions - the right questions. Then, knowing how to evaluate what you learn and how to apply it. One of my professors told me University isn't really the package you absorb, it is learning just that skill set: Learning that you don't know everything there is to know, learning that it is good to know as much as possible, learning where and how to get the information you need to know, and learning how to act on it. That, he said is really what getting an education is about.

I think one of my greatest pleasures is watching a young child in that rapid learning phase of 0-4 as they learn all about the world. To see things as they view them even teaches me new things. The same is true when you ask for another person's perspective. Often, it is a view that is just a small shift from yours, but the view is entirely different. Neither is necessarily right or wrong, and sometimes, both paint a more complete picture. In marketing, it is critical to get the perspective of your potential clients. Your message must be crafted to their values. You have to understand what that is to be effective.

As for detail, I think we are most effective if we can function like our eyes. Be able to focus on the little things, but don't forget to also pause to see the panoramic view - the big picture. Did you ever notice that people's eyesight is affected by how they use their eyes? Check it out. Find out how many surgeons and dentists you know are near sighted and have trouble seeing at a distance. Check out how many farmers, and golfers are far sighted. Attention to both detail and the big picture are both important skills to hone. Like most abilities, if you don't use it, you lose it.

Posted by abrarahmedav on 08/03/2009 3:20 AM

Your methodology of research to get input from the users to make a optimum decision.Always works Good!!!

Posted by member1989276 on 08/03/2009 4:07 AM

Curiosity has a lot of advantages , with this you became familiar as to how things goes in particular. It seems that you won't be left behind being aware of something. I must admit that I keep on asking , I want to know full details in particular. I want to dig deeper especially if it comes to a business opportunity.In case you don’t know what handerpants are, these are fingerless gloves that look just like mens underwear, with little cuffs where your fingers fit through. Obviously, anyone caught outdoors wearing them is going to get mocked, but the purpose is to keep your hands dry, if wearing gloves, by wicking hand sweat. They're also good for other purposes where you might want your palms and knuckles protected. They are a novelty item that might have some use, even if they look ridiculous. They're cheap, too: they go for $12 so you won't need a big cash advance to get Handerpants.

For more info visit: http://personalmoneystore.com/Cash-Advance/

Posted by Francois Human on 08/03/2009 6:16 AM

I can agree on your opinion regarding curiosity as I am teaching myself to stay curios and always investigating new topics. It keeps life exciting as well and the more I learn about new things, the more I learn how little I know. I am interested in reading more about your opinions and will do so!

Francois Human
South Africa
Bcom Industrial/Organisational Psychology Student

Posted by Cheryle on 08/03/2009 7:39 PM

You have painted a very sunny picture of curiousity. Let me add a few shades and highlights for you.
There are curious teenagers who steal prescription drugs from their parents when they are curious. They wonder what it will feel like. Many of them mix the pills with alcohol because they are curious to see what will happen. Some of these teens are fortunate enough to end up in rehab or the emergency room before ending up in a car crash or on the local news. Some of them kill other people or themselves or both. All because they were curious about a little pill.

There are sixteen year-old girls who are curious to know what making love feels like. Some of them end up pregnant with no husband to take care of them. All too often they end up on welfare or take jobs that don't pay enough money to raise a family. All because she was curious.

There are men over fifty-years old who are curious to know if younger women still find them attractive.
An affair starts and then the problem of what to do when the wife finds out becomes an expensive legal debt that commonly ends up in divorce. This happens to some women too. Usually the kids suffer the most.

Being curious without thinking over the potential consequences can be very dangerous.
Asking questions and getting the wrong information or worse being lied to should make anyone cautious. Asking the wrong person for answers can be worse than finding out a solution on your own.

I love sunny days spent at the beach but I won't try to count the teeth on a real shark just because I am curious. There are people who do, and the shark ends up with their arms or leg for lunch. Sometimes they don't live to tell an "exciting fish story."

So I will limit my curiousity by the level of danger that I could encounter, and be cautious who I ask for advice. There are people who make a living selling false information. Buyer beware!

Posted by member1982261 on 08/04/2009 11:24 AM

Curiosity is very important when trying to understand how something works. If you want to be good at something you need to find out as much about it as you can and then apply the knowledge.

John,
http://www.canadabanks.net/Investing.aspx

Posted by user28112 on 08/04/2009 9:12 PM

To you Trump: The Curator of Curiosity.

Please give my love and affection to your fantastic family. And may you and the rest of your business team continue to be champions.

I agree wholeheartedly with you and Albert Einstein on this matter of "Curiosity." My experience is that being curious, passionate and rested in and about the situations of life that I am involved in, in any way, destroys boredom, lack of knowledge, fear and depression. Curiosity, rest and the search for answers is a great anti-depressant, especially if you like yourself. And every body is inherently likeable, worthy and deserves the best. Whether these things manifest in a person’s personality and lifestyle is their belief, to a great extent, in their own worthiness. You Trump are very blessed and unique in that you need less rest than the average person.

Curiosity produces wisdom and enhances a person’s thinking ability and develops self-discipline, knowingly and even unknowingly. I don’t drink, smoke or do drugs so it is not only the big decisions that need constant discipline, but the so-called "small" everyday decisions also. And there should be no so-called "small" decisions in anybody’s life. They are all important decisions. Details matter. If thinking big and boldly was easy Trump, everyone would be doing it and, as you teach……should be doing it.

Sincerely, your friend, and "Revolutionary Entrepreneur"

Dr. Nimrod (Gen. 10:8-10)
Nimrodworldpeace@aol.com

Posted by member11000083 on 08/05/2009 10:19 PM

This is such good advice in the Internet world we live in. I think that in an odd way community has become more important than ever. Showing curiousity is a very good way of developing a relationship. It sends a clear message about your interest in them, their community, or their projects. Given this fact, curiousity becomes a great way to close deals, gain renters, and meet everyday needs.

Blake.Ratcliff@occupancy100.com
The Apartment Guy
www.apartmentmarketingsolutions.com

Posted by Rachael Sutton #1253595 on 08/08/2009 7:11 PM

Good evening Mr. Trump,

My mother always quoted that old proverb "Curiosity killed the cat" when I would start to wonder what, how, why and all those other things my mind jumps to.

KeyS.

I guess as you demonstrated to Larry King during one interview, curiosity should be used with a certain amount of caution - be careful for what you ask, you may not always like the answer. By the way, when I read about your response to Larry King, I enjoyed the humor immensely. That was a great demonstration of your quick wit.

Posted by Allan2000 on 08/10/2009 3:45 AM

Well curiosity is this, what is the feeling of having a breakfast with mr. Trump?.. Im just curious, and want to learn more from him...

Posted by member11005003 on 08/14/2009 11:50 AM

Asking questions is definitely a good way to learn, but not all will agree with it.

If you are a company top management, you've the right to ask anything you are unsure of. But as a junior, you are restricted by the fear of insecure peers when you ask the same. Unfortunately, human beings react differently to questions.

I agreed that 'Curiosity has its own reason for existing' but one should also not forget that 'Curiosity also kills a Cat!"

Posted by Rachael Sutton #1253595 on 09/24/2009 11:39 PM

Mr. Trump, Please forgive my constant curiosity and incessant questions, but I couldn't help but notice you in a Martha Stewart Macy's commercial, at the following address

http://www.hulu.com/watch/93512/3-points

Have you watched 3 Point? What are your thoughts on the situation in Darfur? Do you have any plans for development there? Iraq? Afghanastan? The World? Are you still interested in diplomatic service?

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