Wise and Curious
Inspired by on Lenny's Podcast
At 52, Chip Conley joined Airbnb as the 'Modern Elder' - and discovered the secret to thriving at any age: being both wise and curious at the same time.
Chip Conley joined Airbnb at 52. The average employee age was 26. He was mentoring Brian Chesky, but Brian was also his boss. It was disorienting.
How did he make it work?
'I had to be both wise and curious, and often the dumbest person in the room. It required me to have a certain amount of humility.'
This is the definition of a Modern Elder - someone who is as curious as they are wise.
Too much wisdom without curiosity makes you rigid. Too much curiosity without wisdom makes you flighty. The combination is magic.
Watch your kid. They're all curiosity, zero wisdom. That's appropriate. Now watch yourself - are you all wisdom, no curiosity? That's a trap.
The best parents stay curious about their kids. What are they interested in now? What changed? What am I missing? Wisdom helps you guide. Curiosity helps you stay connected.
'Show up with curiosity and passionate engagement, and people won't notice your wrinkles as much as they'll notice your energy.'
PM Theme: Continuous learning
Parenting Theme: Staying curious about your kids
“I had to be both wise and curious, and often the dumbest person in the room. It required me to have a certain amount of humility.”Chip Conley · 00:07:42
“Show up with curiosity and a passionate engagement for what you do, and people won't notice your wrinkles as much as they'll notice your energy.”Chip Conley · 00:31:28
