CEO Thought for the Week – Curiosity Over Judgement
Hi everyone,
I hope this week has treated you well so far.
At our recent TA Conference, Andy Baker shared a line that has really stayed with me:
“Become a detective, not a judge. Be fascinated rather than frustrated, and interested, not irritated.”
It’s simple, but quite powerful—and the more I’ve reflected on it, the more I think it speaks directly to the heart of our work across Infinity.
In our schools, we work with children who bring a wide range of experiences, emotions, needs and challenges through the door every day. Some of these present in ways that are not always easy—behaviour that challenges, moments of disengagement, heightened emotions, or reluctance to learn. The same can be true, at times, in our interactions with families and even with one another as colleagues.
In those moments, it can be easy—understandably—to move quickly to judgement:
But Andy’s words remind us to pause and shift our stance.
To be a detective is to look beneath the surface.
To ask: What’s really going on here?
To be curious about the “why” rather than reacting to the “what.”
When we choose curiosity over judgement:
And that’s where the real impact lies.
For our children, this approach can be transformational. A child who feels understood is far more likely to feel safe. A child who feels safe is far more likely to engage. And a child who engages is far more likely to learn and flourish.
The same principle applies to our work with families. Taking time to understand context, pressures and perspectives builds trust—and trust is the foundation of any strong partnership.
And importantly, it applies to us as colleagues too. We all have moments where things don’t quite land as intended. Approaching one another with curiosity and professional generosity strengthens our teams and reflects the values we hold as a Trust—Unity, Love, Curiosity, Integrity and Hope.
None of this is about lowering expectations. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s about raising them—because when we truly understand the barriers, we are far better placed to remove them.
So as we move through the coming weeks, I’d encourage us all to keep that phrase in mind:
Because it’s through that curiosity that we create the conditions for every child—and every colleague—to flourish.
Thank you, as always, for everything you do each day to support our children and one another.
Best wishes,
Gavin