Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell: Episode Summary

Title: How Curiosity Can Transform Nonprofit Communications with Leo Chan
Host: Julia Campbell
Guest: Leo Chan, Founder and Chief Innovation Igniter of Abound Innovation Incorporated
Release Date: April 30, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of Nonprofit Nation, host Julia Campbell engages in a transformative conversation with Leo Chan, an expert in innovation and communication strategies for nonprofits. The episode delves into the pivotal role of curiosity in enhancing nonprofit communications, storytelling, and overall organizational effectiveness. Leo Chan shares his extensive experience, including his role as a LEGO Serious Play facilitator, and provides actionable techniques to cultivate curiosity within nonprofit teams.

Understanding Curiosity as a Skill

Julia Campbell (00:37): Julia opens the discussion by posing a fundamental question: "How do you actually develop curiosity as a skill? And how can curiosity be used as a powerful tool in nonprofit and philanthropy communications?"

Leo Chan (04:37): Leo emphasizes that curiosity is often perceived as an innate trait rather than a cultivable skill. He mentions, "I have scrutinized curiosity, and I think curiosity has always led my life. I'm a curious cat." He articulates the challenges posed by traditional educational systems that may stifle curiosity by promoting linear thinking and fixed answers.

The C Process to Curiosity

Leo introduces his proprietary "C Process" for fostering curiosity:

1. Seeing (S - 06:03): Curiosity begins with observation. Leo distinguishes between reactive and proactive seeing, encouraging individuals to create their own stimuli for curiosity rather than passively waiting for prompts.

2. Engaging (E - 07:01): After noticing something intriguing, the next step is to actively engage with it. Leo notes, "What kills curiosity often for us is busyness... We don't choose to engage for whatever reason. It's a choice that we make."

3. Exploring: This involves immersing oneself in the curious pursuit, achieving a state of flow where time seems to disappear.

4. Enjoying (E - 07:18): Satisfying curiosity triggers dopamine release, enhancing happiness and reinforcing the behavior.

Leo Chan (07:24): "The final E is enjoy. Research shows us that when you satisfy your curiosity, your brain floods with dopamine."

Overcoming Barriers to Curiosity in the Workplace

Biggest Barriers:

1. Lack of Time (10:12): Leo compares being too busy to drive on a freeway—blurred and fast-moving—versus walking in a neighborhood where you can observe and interact.

2. Curse of Knowledge (12:14): Expertise can lead to complacency, reducing the desire to ask questions or seek new information. Leo states, "Our expertise can sometimes lead us to stop asking and stop learning."

Cultural Challenges:

• Nonprofits often grapple with imposter syndrome and cultural norms that discourage questioning, labeling it as a sign of weakness or disruption.

Strategies to Combat Barriers:

• Creating Margin (10:46): Allocating time specifically for curiosity-driven activities, such as a 30-minute weekly exploration session.

• Reframing Questions (16:03): Using "I wonder" statements to foster a culture of exploration without challenging authority. For example, instead of "Why do we do this?" ask "I wonder why we approach it this way."

Leo Chan (14:00): "We can all start to ask. We can one simple thing is, hey, start increasing the number of questions you ask a day..."

Leveraging Curiosity for Better Fundraising and Communications

Fundraising Insights:

• Curiosity enhances empathy, which is crucial in understanding donors' motivations and building meaningful relationships.

• Leo Chan (18:09): "Curiosity leads us to understand others more... if you're curious about their motivations, it automatically builds empathy within us."

Cutting Through the Noise:

• Utilizing data to identify what resonates with the audience. Leo shares his experience on LinkedIn where personal posts outperformed more "valuable" content, highlighting the importance of authentic storytelling.

• Leo Chan (20:18): "If we take the time to be curious about these things, it gives us insight into how people are reacting."

Practical Application:

• Tracking engagement spikes and investigating underlying causes to refine communication strategies.

• Encouraging authenticity in storytelling to foster deeper connections with supporters.

The Role of AI and Data in Fostering Curiosity

AI as an Augmentation Tool:

• Leo views AI as a facilitator that can handle monotonous tasks, freeing up time for creative pursuits.

• Leo Chan (30:04): "AI generally is an augmentation to what we do... you can use it to get yourself unstuck."

Biomimicry and Innovation:

• Drawing inspiration from nature and using AI to explore innovative solutions.

• Leo Chan (30:20): "Biomimicry is looking at nature and using nature to solve our problems."

Practical Usage:

• Utilizing AI to generate ideas based on natural phenomena or existing solutions across different industries.

• Leo Chan (31:03): "With AI now, it can do a lot of research for you. You can type in your problem andAI can look stuff up very quickly."

Cultivating Curiosity: Habits and Practices

Adopting "I Wonder" Conversations (31:52):

• Leo encourages incorporating "I wonder" statements into daily interactions to promote a culture of curiosity without confrontation.

• Leo Chan (32:17): "Fold in 'I wonder' into conversations that we have with people... it doesn't feel like a challenge anymore."

Encouraging Exploration Meetings:

• Holding dedicated sessions focused on curiosity and exploration topics to stimulate innovative thinking.

Balancing Curiosity with Professional Goals:

• Finding a middle ground between indulging curiosity and maintaining productivity by allowing oneself to follow curiosity when it aligns with professional objectives.

Leo Chan (32:45): "One small habit or practice that people can start today is to use the 'I wonder' phrase in their conversations."

Leo Chan’s LEGO Serious Play Methodology

LEGO Serious Play:

• A business methodology that employs LEGO for facilitating creative thinking and problem-solving in a diverse and engaging manner.

• Leo Chan (03:25): "There are four in the world that are LEGO Serious Play Master facilitators... it's a business tool used globally for over 20 years."

Benefits:

• Unlocking creativity and ensuring all voices are heard through tactile and playful interaction.

• Leo Chan (04:09): "It's kinesthetic, it's visual, it's auditory, it's great for all styles of learners."

Practical Examples and Personal Anecdotes

Ratatouille TikTok Musical (23:19):

• Leo shares his experience delving into the creation of the Ratatouille TikTok musical, highlighting the joy and unexpected insights gained from following his curiosity.

Art Installation Exploration (25:05):

• An anecdote about stopping to engage with a typographical art installation in Toronto illustrates the lasting positive impact of giving in to curiosity.

Resources and Further Learning

Connecting with Leo Chan:

• Website: aboundinnovation.ca
• Social Media: LinkedIn and Instagram (@everyonecaninnovate)
• Courses: Leo offers four courses on LinkedIn Learning, including "How to Make Innovation Thinking a Habit." Interested listeners can message him on LinkedIn for access.
• Newsletter: Sign up at beindisruptible.com for insights on innovation, creativity, curiosity, and more.

Conclusion

Julia Campbell and Leo Chan wrap up the episode by emphasizing the transformative power of curiosity in nonprofit communications and operations. They encourage listeners to adopt small, manageable practices to foster curiosity, ultimately leading to more innovative and impactful nonprofit work.

Julia Campbell (35:02): "Take advantage of all these resources and get more curious. I think this is fabulous. Thanks so much Leo for being on the podcast."

Notable Quotes

• Leo Chan (07:24): "The final E is enjoy. Research shows us that when you satisfy your curiosity, your brain floods with dopamine."

• Leo Chan (12:14): "Our expertise can sometimes lead us to stop asking and stop learning."

• Leo Chan (16:03): "I wonder meetings... it really prevents that whole... challenge."

• Julia Campbell (19:41): "I love that framing of 'I wonder.' It's so important..."

• Leo Chan (31:52): "One small habit or practice that people can start today is to use the 'I wonder' phrase in their conversations."

This episode provides invaluable strategies for nonprofit professionals seeking to invigorate their organizations through curiosity-driven communication and innovation. By implementing the techniques discussed, nonprofits can foster a culture of continuous learning and empathetic engagement with their communities.