The CUInsight Experience podcast: Diana Kander – Curiosity muscle (#154)

Thank you for tuning in to episode 154 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your host, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight.com. This episode is brought to you by Allied Solutions. Allied Solutions is focused on helping clients grow their bottom line, protect their business and members, and evolve to stay ahead of the competition.

My guest on today’s show is Diana Kander, a New York Times Bestselling Author, Consultant, and Keynote Speaker. Diana has helped create multi-billion dollar products, coached boards and executive committees on innovation best-practices, and implemented culture transformations. Diana tells the story of how she knew little about the world and used that fresh view to take chances. She brings these experiences to each and every keynote, delivering entertaining case studies and perspective shifting stories. We’re so excited to have Diana as the keynote speaker for the next CUInsight Mini-Con event, so register today!

During our conversation, Diana and I chat about nurturing curiosity, pursuing innovation, and challenging core assumptions. She explains the importance of asking the right questions to gain meaningful feedback from members to improve and grow. She shares tips on creating space for curiosity and innovating for future growth and relevance. We discuss what we envision for the future of the credit union movement along with the significance of decision making and team building to bring each vision to life. Listen as we talk about how to notice zombie initiatives, pivot indicators, and failure metrics for staying on top of innovation.

As we wrap up the show, listen in as Diana talks about innovations with ChatGPT, the best advice from her “ghost” mentor, and a success story she witnessed up close. Enjoy my conversation with Diana Kander!

Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher 

Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List 

How to find Diana:
Diana Kander, New York Times Bestselling Author, Consultant, and Keynote Speaker
dianakander.com
Diana: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Show notes from this episode:
A big shout-out to our friends at Allied Solutions, an amazing sponsor of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Thank you!
Want to hear more from Diana? Click here.
To learn more and register for CUInsight Mini-Con Series, click here.
Diana’s NYT best selling books: The Curiosity Muscle and All in Startup 
Historic reference: Soviet Union
Place mentioned: Odesa, Ukraine
Shout-out: Diana’s parents
Shout-out: Diana’s grandma
Shout-out: Steve Sasson
Shout-out: Kodak
Historic reference: COVID-19 pandemic
Shout-out: Jim Rohn
Shout-out: Jill Nowacki
Shout-out: ChatGPT
Shout-out: Mary Beth Spuck
Shout-out: Diana’s husband
Shout-out: Ewing Kauffman
Shout-out: Mila Kunis
Shout-out: TJ Maxx
Shout-out: Pizza Hut
Album mentioned: Midnights by Taylor Swift
Book mentioned: The Curiosity Muscle by Diana Kander
Book mentioned: All In Startup: Launching a New Idea When Everything Is on the Line by Diana Kander
Book mentioned: Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And the Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time- Expanded and Updated by Keith Ferrazzi
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Jill Nowacki (episodes 4, 18, 37, 64, 82, 101, 113, 126, 138, & 148), Mary Beth Spuck

In This Episode:
[01:02] – Diana Kander recalls her family leaving the Soviet Union in the middle of the night with $256 to their name.
[03:26] – Being curious about curiosity.
[05:20] – Asking questions is the best way to create space for curiosity.
[08:08] – The speed of change is quick. How do organizations have timely innovations?
[11:03] – What questions should leaders ask themselves?
[12:34] – Diana offers ideas for how leaders can get more direct and honest feedback.
[15:48] – Diana explains how to measure “pivot indicators” and “failure metrics” to monitor the success of an initiative.
[18:02] – Allow people to share their ideas so you have more access to more solutions.
[21:01] – “If you want to do something innovative, start with yourself.”
[22:41] – Is it beneficial to be around people who are curious?
[24:23] – Focus hiring conversations around outcomes and the role the person played in outcomes.
[26:42] – How can constraints inspire innovation and support better team focus?
[28:49] – Diana says she’s exploring ChatGPT.
[30:27] – What are T.E.A.M. meetings like with Diana and her husband?
[32:59] – What is Diana currently reading?
[34:34] – Which success story did Diana have a front row seat to watching unfold?