Prof. Robert Kegan on Curiosity, Self-Authorship, Adult Development and Why Change Is So Hard (Harvard Graduate School of Education)

Professor Robert “Bob” Kegan (Harvard Graduate School of Education) joins The Curious Advantage Podcast to explore curiosity, adult development, and why meaningful change is often so difficult.

Bob explains curiosity as a “delight in the knowing gap” and shares how adults grow through different stages of psychological development, from the socialised mind to self-authorship and the self-transforming mind. He also introduces the idea of “immunity to change,” revealing how hidden assumptions and internal defences can prevent us from making the changes we genuinely want to make.

The episode also looks at AI, digital transformation, leadership, feedback, and how curiosity can help us test our assumptions, build self-authorship, and adapt in a rapidly changing world.

Resources mentioned:

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Bob and Curiosity and Adult Development
01:30 Defining Curiosity as Delight in the Knowing Gap
04:50 Curiosity and Psychological Growth
08:19 Learning vs. Development: Transcending Frames
12:28 Stories of Development: The Olympic Skater and Lincoln
17:21 Stages of Adult Development: Socialized to Self-Transforming
22:13 The Small Percentage Achieving Self-Transforming Mind
39:02 Immunity to Change: Why Change is Difficult
56:22 AI and Development: Opportunities and Challenges
01:10:00 The Power of Inner Inquiry and Self-Understanding
01:14:48 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.