Curiosity Over Assumptions: How to Lead, Decide, and Relate Better — with Yosi Kossowsky

On The Mindful Living, host Avik speaks with executive coach Yosi Kossowsky about using curiosity to interrupt snap judgments, reduce reactivity, and improve leadership, relationships, and daily decision-making. Yosi explains why we’re not mind readers, how “backstories” we invent create friction, and how to retrain attention to what’s actually known versus assumed. You’ll hear concrete experiments to try this week so you can lead and live with more clarity—without the fluff.

About the guest:

Yosi Kossowsky is a seasoned executive coach and former CEO/Senior Director of Talent Management with ~20 years of coaching and 30+ years in executive leadership. He helps leaders build high-performing cultures grounded in trust, collaboration, and clear thinking.

Key takeaways:

• You can’t read minds or tell the future. Most conflict starts when we invent motives for others; curiosity replaces assumption with inquiry.

• Notice your “backstories.” Ask: What do I truly know vs. what am I making up? That question reduces frustration and overreaction.

• Reframe in real time. When something surprises you (at home or work), pause and ask, “I’m curious—what led to that?” before judging.

• Run two experiments. 1) Revisit a past tense moment and mentally remove assumptions—how would you feel/act differently? 2) Choose one upcoming interaction and enter it assumption-free; journal what changes.

• Curiosity scales leadership. Teams benefit when leaders model inquiry, clarify context, and plan with facts over predictions.

• Trust and curiosity aren’t opposites. Trust improves when we check stories against reality rather than defending them.

• Track the habit. For seven days, journal one curious question/day; note shifts in mood, decisions, and relationships.

How to connect with the guest

• LinkedIn: Find and message Yosi Kossowsky (booking link available on his profile, per episode).

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Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.

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