EP301: Curiosity- The Key To Operational Excellence with Jon Bassford

Curiosity-Driven Leadership: The Operational Edge 
EP301 Profit With A Plan Podcast
Released May 6, 2025

Guest: Jon Bassford, Operations Expert, founder of Lateral Solutions
Host: Marcia Riner, Business Growth Strategist, Infinite Profit®

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this thought-provoking episode, Marcia Riner talks with Jon Bassford—TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and operations strategist—about how curiosity can be your company’s most overlooked competitive advantage. Jon unpacks how a curious mindset can fuel innovation, streamline systems, and help leaders build resilient, scalable organizations. If you're a business owner or leader looking to improve operations without burning out your team or yourself, this episode is packed with strategies you don’t want to miss.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why curiosity is a superpower in leadership and operations

• How to cultivate a “curious culture” in your organization

• The connection between psychological safety and performance

• Avoiding the most common operational roadblocks that kill growth

• The role of experimentation and questioning in long-term success

⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights:

00:00 – Introduction
Marcia introduces the episode theme: scaling smarter through curiosity.

01:45 – What is Curious Leadership?
Jon explains how curiosity became the foundation of his leadership style and operational success.

05:12 – From Law to Leadership
Hear Jon’s unconventional journey from law school to startup operations.

08:30 – What Is Operational Excellence?
Jon defines operational excellence and its impact on growth, scale, and team alignment.

13:15 – Curiosity in Culture
Creating a workplace that encourages questions, experimentation, and team buy-in.

17:00 – Psychological Safety in Teams
Why leaders must create environments where teams feel safe enough to challenge, ask, and improve.

21:45 – Common Pitfalls in Operations
Jon outlines the biggest mistakes he sees leaders make—and how curiosity can solve them.

27:10 – A Case Study in Change
Jon shares a real-world story where a curiosity-first approach reshaped a company’s operations and outcomes.

33:40 – Rapid-Fire with Marcia
Lightning-round insights on systems, curiosity, and how to step into operational greatness.

36:00 – Final Advice for Entrepreneurs
Jon’s closing thoughts on being a curious leader and building sustainable success.

🔗 Connect with Jon Bassford:

📧 jon@think-lateral.com

 

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👤 About Marcia Riner

Marcia Riner is a business growth strategist who helps entrepreneurs scale smarter, increase profitability, and maximize business value. As CEO of Infinite Profit® and creator of the Profit Booster® strategies, she goes beyond advice—working alongside business owners to implement proven strategies that strengthen financial stability, optimize operations, and drive long-term success.

Whether you’re looking to boost profits, expand, or prepare for a high-value exit, Marcia delivers the expertise and hands-on support to make it happen. Learn more at InfiniteProfitConsulting.com.

Got questions?  Reach out to Marcia and her team at (949) 229-2112 ♾️