The Power of Professional Curiosity
Curiosity, often seen as a childlike trait, is arguably one of the most powerful forces one can cultivate throughout their personal and professional life. Curiosity fuels discovery, deepens connection, and keeps minds agile and open. Often those workers who exhibit initiative are also the same individuals who demonstrate sincere interest and curiosity. Curiosity is an ingredient that can enhance management and productivity, and even training design and delivery outcomes.
Why Curiosity Matters
Curiosity is more than a fleeting interest. It’s a mindset—a way of engaging with others and world that says, “There’s always more to learn.”
When we lead with curiosity, we:
Expand our understanding: Curiosity drives us to explore new ideas and perspectives, broadening our worldview.
Strengthen relationships: Asking thoughtful questions and listening fosters empathy and connection.
Fuel creativity and innovation: Many breakthroughs begin with a simple “what if?” Don’t get stuck in a loop. Invite more people (and their ideas) to the table, whenever feasible and reasonable.
Build resilience: Curious people are more adaptable, seeing challenges as opportunities to learn rather than threats to avoid. This adaptability leads to better communication and less conflict.
Staying Curious at Work
Curiosity in the workplace applies to the approach we take to our work as well as to the perspectives of the people around us.
A commitment to enhanced curiosity starts with small, intentional shifts in how we approach our workday:
Ask More Questions
Replace judgment with inquiry - when evaluating the motives of others within a team, instead of asking “Why would they do that?” try “What might be influencing their perspective?”
Challenging Our Assumptions
Notice when you are operating on autopilot or making snap judgments. Consider pausing and asking, “What else could be true?”
Be Present
Curiosity requires attention. Slow down and observe the details— whether in a project plan or in someone’s tone of voice. Not surprisingly, managers who attentively focus on their team members’ reactions and subtle body language can often better support them or intervene when needed.
Training: Leveraging Curiosity to Champion Best Practices
Traditional, conventional training focuses on defining right versus wrong and often simply identifying correct answers.
If, instead, training is designed and facilitated to prioritize participants sharing viewpoints around best practices, then curiosity becomes a core aspect of the experience. While training attendees should always come to a policy-based consensus, it is curiosity and collaborative inquiry that will lead them there.
Consider, therefore, using numerous relevant scenarios which participants assess together to spot, exchange and explore perspectives regarding areas of risk and appropriate versus inappropriate conduct.
Curiosity around how others think, respond, and react creates much greater buy-in as well as significant conduct and decision-making shifts.