Curiosity: Because Sometimes the Value is in the Question

In this installment of Wit and Wisdom for Well-Being, we bring you: curiosity.

If you’ve ever had a conversation with a 3-year-old, you have likely been through the scenario of being asked “why?” over and over (and over) again. While this can be frustrating for some and it’s unlikely that a 3-year-old can truly understand the complexities behind some of the answers to their questions, it doesn’t mean that we can’t learn something from these engaging little toddlers. That lesson is the importance of curiosity.

Think back if you can, to a time when you learned something new. Whether this was a new skill, an interesting fact about a friend or co-worker, or even a random bit of trivia from an obscure question on trivia night at the local brewery. Many times, there is a sense of accomplishment, or pride, and a desire to share your newfound bit of knowledge with others. That enthusiasm not only sparks joy for the pupil, but can also fuel further curiosity, creativity, and innovation.

As you may have noticed, I’m a big fan of Ted Lasso. If you haven’t started watching yet, don’t fret, there’s still time to get caught up. If you’re already an avid watcher, you’re likely familiar with the dart scene at the pub (season 1, episode 8). It’s one of my favorites. For starters, I love it when the good guy wins. The reason I reference it here, however, is that Ted’s method of teaching Rupert the value of being curious is not only memorable, but also helps us consider how being curious can be beneficial to a number of different areas of our lives.

Many organizations like to encourage the concepts of innovation and creativity within their workforce. Often, they ask what they can do with their physical space that would spur more creative thinking and problem solving. Concepts such as bright and bold colors in the space, pinball games, a variety of furniture settings and postures, and inspiring views are thrown into the mix. The value of these design elements is really about how it impacts the user experience and reinforces a culture where curiosity is encouraged and creativity can flourish. A culture that promotes curiosity is one where people are inspired to ask questions. Good leaders ask great questions and by doing so, set an example and encourage curiosity within their teams and throughout the organization.

SO, WHAT IS A GREAT QUESTION?

“Why?” is a good question, but these days we generally have to be a bit more specific. Think about typing something into your search engine. How you phrase your question has a huge impact on the answers you may receive. For example, if you are looking for support for a pre-existing opinion, you may ask a biased question such as “why is open plan bad?” If you truly want to find more innovative and creative solutions to the problems you face, instead of letting your pre-existing judgements or assumptions lead your questions, try letting curiosity be your guide. For example, you could ask “what workplace layout will best support my employees?” and be led to articles that discuss the pros and cons of various design approaches as well as processes and resources to determine a layout that works for the unique needs of your organization.

BENEFITS OF BEING CURIOUS

Beyond design elements, curiosity can also be beneficial when communicating with colleagues and managing and collaborating with distributed teams. Many of the personality profiles, assessments and platforms online today allow teams to explore better ways of interacting with their colleagues through the use of individual profiles that identify how people process information, various communications styles and preferences, and even the best time of day to reach out for a brainstorming session. Being curious about your teammates and what makes them tick can help you better communicate and engage with them.

In addition to generating innovative solutions for your organization, practicing curiosity can also have a positive impact on your personal well-being. For starters, when you are curious about a certain piece of information, you are more likely to retain that knowledge. The same part of your brain that lights up when you are rewarded is also activated when we are curious. Research has identified that study participants who were more curious about a particular question were more likely to remember the right answer to that question. Even lifelong learning has been shown to have a positive impact on your mental well-being as research has indicated that learning a new skill or learning to play a new instrument can offset cognitive decline and improve memory, especially as you age.

SO, HOW CAN YOU PRACTICE CURIOSITY IN YOUR OWN LIFE AND WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION?

1. 1. 1. Practice personal growth. Start with more curiosity in your personal life. What is something you have been eager to learn, but maybe have been afraid to try? Want to start with something a bit easier? The next time you hear a term or concept you don’t know, ask that person what it means. You may also end up learning more about that person, as well as a new vocabulary term.
      2. Learn about the people in your life. Remember the person that taught you a new term you weren’t familiar with? Work to learn more. Start by removing any preexisting assumptions about a person and simply ask them something about themselves, then actively listen to the answer and ask clarifying questions as needed. It may seem simple, but removing judgement can be more challenging than you think. The good news is that the more you practice, the more you learn and the better your questions become. When in doubt, you can always start with “Have you played a lot of darts?”
      3. Question the process. In your next meeting when they talk about the 27-step process within a Standard Operating Procedure that takes the time of six people over three days at the benefit of $.20 profit, don’t be afraid to ask why this process is in place. Are there opportunities to streamline some steps? Sometimes that value that you provide is not in the answer itself, but in the question you ask.

Barbeque Sauce!

Curious to learn more? If you have any questions, thoughts, ideas, or would like to learn more about how Stok and our subject matter experts can support your organization, please reach out.