S6 Ep7: #70 Boulders & Pebbles: Pragmatic Tools for Enabling Curiosity in a Global Organization with Chris Smart (CLO, MetLife)

The Curious Advantage Podcast

In this episode, we dive deep into the role of curiosity in driving organizational change and innovation with Chris Smart, Chief Learning Officer at MetLife. Chris shares his career journey and how curiosity has shaped his leadership and decision-making. He discusses how MetLife fosters a culture of curiosity through initiatives like the experimentation fund, campaigns, and hackathons, all designed to encourage innovation and employee empowerment.
As Chris reflects on the challenges of the pandemic, he highlights how the organization pivoted to virtual learning while still valuing the power of face-to-face interactions. He also explores the operational side of curiosity—turning ideas into practical actions that support a learning organization.
In this engaging conversation, Chris touches on the role of AI in the future of learning and development, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities it presents. Additionally, he shares his personal curiosities, including his interest in the history of New York’s High Line and his vision for the evolving role of L&D in the future. Whether you're passionate about leadership, innovation, or learning, this episode reveals the powerful impact of curiosity on personal and organizational growth.
About the Curious Advantage Podcast Series
The Curious Advantage Podcast series, hosted by the authors of The Curious Advantage book – Paul Ashcroft (co-founder & partner, Ludic Group), Simon Brown (Global Learning & Development Leader, Partner, EY), and Garrick Jones (co-founder & partner, Ludic Group) – explores how curiosity is a driving force for success in both individual lives and organizations, particularly in our evolving digital landscape. This podcast distills insights from neuroscience, anthropology, history, art and behaviorism to make the concept of curiosity accessible and applicable to everyone.
About The Curious Advantage Book
The Curious Advantage is an exploration of the idea of Curiosity and its increasing importance for thriving in the digital age. Taking the widest possible exploration of things Curious – historical, contemporary, neuro-scientific, anthropological, behavioural, semantic and business-focused. At the heart of the book is our model of Curiosity, called ’Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’. This model provides individuals with a practical framework for how to be successfully Curious and use Curiosity as a power skill to unlock their own potential. To find out more visit: curiousadvantage.com
Get your copy of The Curious Advantage on Amazon
The Curious Advantage Audiobook is also available on Audible
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The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing is expertly by Danny Cross. Video editing by Jessica Wickham.

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