I’ve been thinking a lot lately about curiosity — that insatiable drive to ask “why” or “what if” — and how it plays out in the two worlds I straddle: startups and patient care. A patient I saw last week reminded me of this. She came in anxious, desperate to understand every minute detail of her treatment plan. At first, I thought her curiosity was a hurdle to overcome before we could proceed. But as we delved deeper, I realized her questions were not just about the treatment but about her need to understand and navigate a journey that was both terrifying and unfamiliar.
In much the same way, I see founders embarking on their startup journeys, driven by curiosity to venture into the unknown. A founder I backed recently shared how he stumbled upon his business idea during a casual conversation at a tea stall. His curiosity about why people preferred a certain type of tea led him to explore an untapped market. This curiosity, much like my patient’s, was not a distraction but a driving force.
Curiosity is often the unsung hero in both these journeys. It’s what makes a founder look at a crowded marketplace and still see room for something new. It’s what propels a patient to ask questions and seek out second opinions until they find a treatment plan that feels right for them. In both cases, curiosity transforms uncertainty into opportunity.
In my experience, curiosity fuels innovation in startups. When a founder constantly asks, “Why does it have to be this way?” or “What if we tried this differently?” they create a culture that is open to new ideas and approaches. This relentless questioning leads to breakthroughs that can set a company apart from its competitors. For instance, consider the evolution of ridesharing. Fifteen years ago, the idea of paying to share a car ride with a stranger would have seemed absurd to most. Yet, it was the curiosity of a few innovative minds that led to the creation of an entire industry.
In the realm of IVF and fertility treatments, curiosity drives medical advancements. Every new treatment or technique we adopt at my clinic comes from a place of wanting to know more, to understand better, and to improve outcomes for our patients. When patients are curious, they become active participants in their care, which can lead to better health outcomes. They are more likely to adhere to treatment plans and make informed decisions.
I’ve observed that the most successful founders and patients are those who let their curiosity lead them. They don’t shy away from asking difficult questions, even if it means confronting uncomfortable truths. This is crucial because in both startups and medical treatments, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each journey is unique, and curiosity helps tailor the path to fit individual needs.
But curiosity alone isn’t enough. It’s the starting point, yes, but it must be coupled with resilience and patience. In startups, ideas often take time to mature, and the road to success is riddled with setbacks. Similarly, patients undergoing fertility treatments often face emotional and physical challenges that require resilience. I’ve written about how IVF patients teach me about the importance of resilience in startups, and it’s a lesson I find myself coming back to time and again. The ability to bounce back from failures and continue asking questions is what ultimately leads to breakthroughs, whether in business or in health.
Curiosity also fosters a growth mindset. It encourages individuals to view challenges as opportunities for learning rather than insurmountable obstacles. A founder with a growth mindset won’t see a failed product launch as the end but as a stepping stone to a better version. Similarly, a patient might view a failed IVF cycle not as a defeat but as valuable feedback on what to try next. This mindset is crucial in both fields, where the path to success is rarely linear.
Moreover, curiosity can create a ripple effect. In a startup, when one team member begins to question the status quo, it can inspire others to do the same, leading to a culture of continuous improvement. In a medical setting, a curious patient can encourage their peers to ask more questions, leading to a community that is better informed and empowered.
However, there’s a delicate balance to maintain. Curiosity without direction can lead to chaos. That’s why it’s essential for both founders and patients to seek guidance from mentors and experts who can help channel their curiosity productively. In startups, this might mean working closely with investors or advisors who can provide strategic direction. For patients, it means trusting their healthcare providers to guide them through the complex medical landscape.
In both domains, managing expectations is key. I’ve discussed the real challenge of managing expectations in both IVF and startups, and it’s a topic that resonates deeply with me. Curiosity can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations, and that’s where experience and wisdom come in. It’s about knowing when to push the boundaries and when to accept the limits of what’s currently possible.
Ultimately, the journeys of startups and patients are more alike than they are different. Both are propelled by a deep-seated curiosity, a desire to explore the unknown, and a willingness to take risks. Both require resilience, patience, and the courage to ask difficult questions. And in both, it’s often the questions we ask — not the answers we get — that determine our success.
So, to my fellow mentors, investors, and healthcare providers: encourage curiosity. Nurture it, guide it, and let it flourish. Because in the end, it’s curiosity that drives progress, whether we’re building startups or creating families. And to those embarking on their own journeys, whether in business or health, I say this: never stop asking why.