How curious are you?  Do you sit back and let things happen or do you intently watch the world looking for trends and answers to questions? 

One of the jobs of an executive is to lean in and pay attention to what is happening in the world.  But this doesn't solve problems right away. Sometimes it just creates more questions.  Now it's tricky.  Do you get discouraged because the questions pile up or does it make you hungrier to find an answer?  If you want to be a successful senior exec I hope your stomach rumbles. *

But be careful.  What will satisfy is rarely generated internally.  Good ideas come from connections you make by exploring texts and talking with others.  Sure, you might come up with a great idea once you have enough data points from experiences, reading, or talking to smart people, but don't cheat the search process. 

When you are stumped dive into books, articles, and conversations.  If the answer eludes you; keep searching.  Be persistent.  There is another article to read or another person to talk to somewhere.  The answer will come in due time, but only if you keep looking.


*This longing or searching is not just about answering business questions.  As human beings we are all geared toward longing and searching for the infinite.  That rumble in your stomach might not be about business.  Unless you spend the time to find out you will never know.