Unleashing Curiosity: An Interview with Katherine O'Neill
Wow! The WIB Gala: Through the Looking Glass was such a success with all our wonderful attendees who participated in the event on February 2nd, and we are excited to partner with YWCA to bring you this special post-Gala blog collaboration.
During the winter break, I had the pleasure of speaking with Katherine O’Neill, the CEO of YWCA Edmonton. Katherine has a passion for gender equity and loves to work in the public service and not-for-profit sector, which is where her main work is, too. Although, she started with a Political Science degree from Wilfrid Laurier University at Waterloo, and completed a Masters in Journalism in Carleton. What an inspiring and inquisitive individual, where does this drive come from?
Her curiosity.
Delightfully, the YWCA Edmonton CEO mentioned the wonderful WIB Networking event that took place last November, and she felt very inspired and empowered to be a part of it. Reflecting on the importance and drive to attend these types of events, Katherine couldn’t have emphasized more how essential it is to be curious. So, let’s hear Katherine's insights on how impactful curiosity can really be.
1. What is the importance of curiosity and what are a few steps people can take to be more curious?
Curiosity should underpin everything you do. And it’s a lifelong skill that will set you apart from others. Always ask questions. Always be open to learning something new. You’ll be surprised by the doors it will open and the opportunities that will arise. Often folks won’t onboard new information because they aren’t sure they need it at the moment. However, the easiest way to become more curious is to read. Whether it’s a daily newspaper or a TikTok, a regular reading routine increases your exposure to new information and different experiences. I personally read five different news websites every morning. So, train yourself to reflect on the information you take in and then ask questions about what may have been missing from the report or what piqued your interest.
2. How have your experiences helped you transition into your role of CEO at YWCA Edmonton?
I was born asking questions. It wasn’t surprising to anyone who knew me that I first chose a career in journalism, including reporting for the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star. I’m naturally a curious person, so it comes easy to me to ask complete strangers questions about their lives or businesses. Add on the fact that I then had to hit deadlines by reporting that information on a daily basis. Those skills taught me how to quickly boil down large, and sometimes confusing, pieces of information. It also taught me how to communicate ideas and arguments in a concise and clear manner. No matter your job, those skills will always come in handy, whether it’s a sales report or a marketing pitch. As the leader of a 116-year-old organization, I’m responsible for clearly communicating with a variety of people, including staff, donors, and clients along with the public. Curiosity has helped me understand what matters most to people.
3. How has your work with YWCA enhanced your sense of curiosity?
Because I’m a big-picture thinker, the nature of my work at YWCA Edmonton has opened my mind even more to the work that is hardest to see: much-needed generational change, including the quest for gender equity. It’s always easy to get lost in the details of day-to-day programs and services, but I try to keep focus on those larger and more ambitious goals the organization has been working towards since 1907.
4. You mentioned the importance of curiosity in fostering creativity and open-mindedness. How do you encourage and cultivate a culture of curiosity within your team at YWCA Edmonton?
It starts with clarity around our vision and mission. When people are united by common goals, it’s easier to build one team with one mission. Networking and regular professional development are also at the heart of what we do at YWCA Edmonton. Not only does it foster lifelong learning, but it helps folks share ideas and questions. We also established a Leadership Development program called Y Leaders for managers and aspiring managers.
5. You emphasize the power of curiosity in personal and professional development. Could you share a specific instance where your own curiosity led to an unexpected opportunity or positive outcome in your career?
Most recently, my personal curiosity around a legendary women’s basketball team – the Edmonton Grads – led to a collaboration with a local artist and a public exhibit retelling the history of this storied team that is to this day still one of the winningest sports teams of all time. It was exciting to bring together arts, sports, and history into one package and help educate the public about this lost chapter of women’s history in our community. For more information on the collaborated Exhibition and the Edmonton Grads, check out this link!
6. Could you share an example from your career where your curiosity led you to explore a new idea or approach that significantly impacted the outcome of a project or initiative?
Too many to mention. And that’s the point – once you flex the curiosity muscle, it will impact everything you do. Katherine has had so many remarkable experiences in her career in various sectors, which include public service, not-for-profit, and government.
7. How does attending events, such as WIB’s Networking event, foster curiosity in students and individuals early in their career?
Simple: you will meet new people, learn new things, and be open to new opportunities. At this point in your career, it’s ideal to expose yourself to as much as possible in an effort to understand the world more. It also teaches you, which fills your bucket professionally and you understand what doesn’t interest you.
8. In your experience, how can leaders actively foster a culture of curiosity within their organizations? Are there specific strategies or practices you've found effective in encouraging curiosity among your team members?
One important practice is ensuring networking between different departments and programs. Often there are silos between these groups, and that just sets organizations up for failure and communication issues. As an organization, we also offer various professional development opportunities that help expand staff members' leadership skills.
9. What advice do you have to our members regarding moving on from failures and finding a new direction or solution? How does curiosity play a role in this?
You are going to fail many times. Embrace that and learn from your mistakes. Some of my biggest failures have led to my biggest successes because I took stock of them, learned from them, and kept moving forward. I also like to take stock of other people’s mistakes. Understanding why something failed is important and will lead to innovation and new ideas if you are open to it.
10. Lastly, given curious people are more open-minded, how do you navigate differing perspectives and opinions within your team or in collaborative projects?
Diversity of thought and opinions is the spice of life. Learn to be a great listener. I don’t agree with lots of things, but I always have the curiosity to hear someone out and try to understand their perspective.
Evidently, the power of curiosity is so impactful. It can lead to new opportunities, experiences, and connections. So, thank you so much for Katherine's uplifting insights because remember with curiosity - if you have it, you stand out!