Curiosity-Driven Leadership: The Operational Edge
EP301 Profit With A Plan Podcast
Released May 6, 2025
Guest: Jon Bassford, Operations Expert, founder of Lateral Solutions
Host: Marcia Riner, Business Growth Strategist, Infinite Profit®
🎧 Episode Summary:
In this thought-provoking episode, Marcia Riner talks with Jon Bassford—TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and operations strategist—about how curiosity can be your company’s most overlooked competitive advantage. Jon unpacks how a curious mindset can fuel Innovation, streamline systems, and help leaders build resilient, scalable organizations. If you’re a business owner or leader looking to improve operations without burning out your team or yourself, this episode is packed with strategies you don’t want to miss.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Why curiosity is a superpower in leadership and operations
How to cultivate a “curious culture” in your organization
The connection between psychological safety and performance
Avoiding the most common operational roadblocks that kill Growth
The role of experimentation and questioning in long-term success
⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction
Marcia introduces the episode theme: scaling smarter through curiosity.
01:45 – What is Curious Leadership?
Jon explains how curiosity became the foundation of his leadership style and operational success.
05:12 – From Law to Leadership
Hear Jon’s unconventional journey from law school to startup operations.
08:30 – What Is Operational Excellence?
Jon defines operational excellence and its impact on Growth, scale, and team alignment.
13:15 – Curiosity in Culture
Creating a workplace that encourages questions, experimentation, and team buy-in.
17:00 – Psychological Safety in Teams
Why leaders must create environments where teams feel safe enough to challenge, ask, and improve.
21:45 – Common Pitfalls in Operations
Jon outlines the biggest mistakes he sees leaders make—and how curiosity can solve them.
27:10 – A Case Study in Change
Jon shares a real-world story where a curiosity-first approach reshaped a company’s operations and outcomes.
33:40 – Rapid-Fire with Marcia
Lightning-round insights on systems, curiosity, and how to step into operational greatness.
36:00 – Final Advice for Entrepreneurs
Jon’s closing thoughts on being a curious leader and building sustainable success.
🔗 Connect with Jon Bassford:
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👤 About Marcia Riner
Marcia Riner is a business Growth strategist who helps entrepreneurs scale smarter, increase profitability, and maximize business value. As CEO of Infinite Profit® and creator of the Profit Booster® strategies, she goes beyond advice—working alongside business owners to implement proven strategies that strengthen financial stability, optimize operations, and drive long-term success.
Whether you’re looking to boost profits, expand, or prepare for a high-value exit, Marcia delivers the expertise and hands-on support to make it happen. Learn more at InfiniteProfitConsulting.com.
Got questions? Reach out to Marcia and her team at (949) 229-2112 ♾️
