Two Leadership Lessons I Learned From a 4-Year-Old

Twice this week, I was gently, and brilliantly, challenged by a 4-year-old.

Not through long conversations or complex questions, but through moments so simple they could have been easy to dismiss. I’m glad I didn’t.

We were identifying colors. Easy enough… or so I thought.

Two items looked almost identical, and each time she placed them differently than I expected, I redirected her. Patiently. Repeatedly.

She calmly put them back the same way every time.

It wasn’t until I slowed down I noticed it, a tiny marking on one of the pictures that clearly showed where each item belonged.

She was right.

I just hadn’t been paying close enough attention.

That moment reminded me how often leadership mistakes aren’t about lack of intelligence or effort, but about missed details.

The signals are there, we’re just moving too fast to see them.

The second lesson came shortly after.

I was guiding her through a learning platform with a very basic subscription.

My mindset was simple: stay safe, predictable, surface-level.

But she was curious.

She clicked. She explored. She asked questions.

I kept redirecting her, trying to manage expectations and avoid disappointment.

She persisted. And eventually, she won.

To my surprise, there were several interactive activities available even on the “basic” plan.

That moment stayed with me.

As adults, we often become so cautious that we stop being curious.

We assume we already know the limits. We accept the “package” we think life handed us without checking what’s actually available.

These two moments offered a quiet but powerful reminder:

And maybe, just maybe, trade some of our “What if it doesn’t work?” for “What if it does?”

Curiosity didn’t just teach a 4-year-old how to learn, It reminded an adult how to lead, grow, and stay open.

Reflection Question:

When was the last time curiosity challenged you?

Bisola Mogaji

TALENT + ATTITUDE