Curiosity over Criticism: A Simple Trick to Improve Engagement, Performance & Culture

Why Curiosity should be the Default Behaviour in any organization aspiring to build engaged, high-performing teams and a thriving culture.

I'm not really sure how best to describe the feeling of having a new idea or being excited to share learning and insights with colleagues and leaders, speaking up and then having them either look at you like you just made no sense whatsoever, or hit you with a barrage of reasons why your idea won't work or has failed in the past.

I could say that it's demotivating or even humiliating, but somehow, that doesn't capture the feeling quite accurately enough. I can definitely explain the impact - when this happens to you a couple of times, you learn to shut up, keep your head down and just get on with your work and hope you don't get fired. A colleague from a Big 4 Management Consultancy once said to me that he felt like he was watching me 'lose my shine' and 'get smaller' day by day. Very astute, he was! That's honestly how I felt.

Now, if you're a manager or business leader in any capacity and you are fine with your people playing small, keeping their heads down and not 'upsetting the apple cart', you should probably stop reading. If, however, you're the other kind of manager - the kind that actually cares about both their people and their bottom line - this is for you.

Culture is built on the small, daily interactions, activities and behaviours that are displayed at work. It's not the Pizza Fridays or the Cold Brew Coffee.

It's always the little things. When we talk about how important it is to cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, too many people think of 'innovation' in the sense of big, new, disruptive technology or products. In reality, it's far more nuanced than that. Our friends in charge of the Cambridge Dictionary, define it as " a new idea or method, or the creating and use of new ideas or methods. It can also refer to the development of new products, designs, or ideas."

Simply changing the way we complete a specific process at work, is innovation. Small, incremental changes lead to big results. We all know this, yet, somehow, far too many managers simply don't create an environment that is conducive to any creativity, changes and innovation, whatsoever.

We hear statements like "innovation is the lifeblood of success" and "fostering a culture of curiosity is paramount", but the lived experience of employees on the ground, tells a different story.

Innovation can only happen when we are curious. When we critically evaluate and examine and ask questions or hypothesise. But how much space are we leaving for any of this at work? In my experience, curiosity is usually overshadowed by its dark little counterpart: criticism.

In every moment, we have a crucial choice to make: stifle curiosity with criticism, or fuel it with enquiry.

When we shut down a new idea or we ask questions that are clearly aimed at showing why it won't work, or we start listing how it's previously failed, we might not realise it, but we are criticising. Criticism, although often well-intentioned, has detrimental effects on psychological safety within a team. When met with criticism, people tend to feel discouraged from sharing their ideas or taking risks, fearing judgment or rejection. This, in turn, creates a culture of conformity, where innovation is stifled, and creativity of any kind, is discouraged.

On the other hand, curiosity serves as a catalyst for growth and innovation. When curiosity is embraced, people feel empowered to explore new ideas, challenge the status quo, and seek out novel solutions to complex problems.

Rather than shutting down ideas with criticism, curiosity opens the door to possibilities, encouraging collaboration and learning.

The Benefits of Curiosity over Criticism

Managers play a crucial role in shaping the culture of their teams. By choosing curiosity over criticism, they set the tone for how ideas are received and nurtured. Instead of immediately dismissing an idea, curious leaders ask questions, seeking to understand the underlying motivations and potential benefits. This creates a safe space for team members to express themselves without fear of judgment, thereby fostering trust and openness.

Moreover, curiosity promotes a growth mindset, where failures are viewed as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than reasons for blame or punishment. When mistakes occur, curious leaders ask, "What can we learn from this?" rather than assigning blame. This not only encourages resilience but also drives continuous improvement and innovation.

In addition to fostering innovation, curiosity enhances employee engagement and performance. When individuals are encouraged to explore their interests and pursue their passions, they feel a greater sense of fulfilment and purpose in their work. Curiosity also promotes a sense of ownership and autonomy, empowering employees to take initiative and drive positive change within the organization.

Want to cultivate more curiosity within your team? Here are 5 easy things you can do:

1. Lead by example: Demonstrate curiosity in your interactions with team members by asking thoughtful questions and actively listening to their ideas.
2. Encourage experimentation: Create opportunities for team members to explore new ideas and approaches, even if they may seem unconventional at first.
3. Celebrate curiosity: Recognize and reward curiosity-driven behaviours, such as asking insightful questions, challenging assumptions, and taking calculated risks.
4. Foster a learning culture: Provide resources and support for continuous learning and development, encouraging team members to expand their knowledge and skills.
5. Encourage suggestions and new ideas: TV shows like 'Back to the Floor' are great at highlighting the insights and innovative ideas that employees often don't have the power or authority to implement.

Curiosity is a powerful force for driving innovation, engagement, and performance in the workplace. By embracing curiosity and cultivating a culture that values enquiry over criticism, we can unlock the full potential of our teams and create workplaces where creativity thrives and success abounds.