Why Curiosity in the Workplace is Important

Since we’re young, we have been told to “ask questions,” or “ask for help,” especially when we don’t know the answer to something. As a child, I understood it was beneficial to ask questions to seek the correct answer for proof or affirmation going forward. As human beings, we are not perfect. We make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. We are always learning, whether that be by researching, reading, or by watching someone else. We benefit from more than simply an immediate answer, but all that comes with it.

Out of college, some of us know what we want to do, while others don’t - hoping to figure out what it is we’d like to do overtime. Regardless of your situation, you are bound to ask questions to get answers. When each of us start our professional careers, it is necessary to ask questions to understand our role. However, as time goes on, we become more reluctant to ask questions because of fear of judgment or to show signs of weakness. In the workplace, “asking questions” can often be intimidating.

To ask a question, means we as humans, are curious. Curiosity is imperative to our personal growth as well as professional performance. It generates thought leadership and increased productivity. Not only does asking questions provoke perspectives from others that you may have never thought of before, but it reveals past experiences that can very well positively impact how to move forward with progression. A curious person is always genuinely interested. When they take interest, they strive to achieve, and that is when success prevails. Curiosity is the opposite of weak; it equals strength. Embracing the unfamiliar in a new work environment can increase discovery, and therefore, advanced performance.

A 2018 Harvard business review states, “When our curiosity is triggered, we think more deeply and rationally about decisions and come up with more-creative solutions. In addition, curiosity allows leaders to gain more respect from their followers and inspires employees to develop more-trusting and more-collaborative relationships with colleagues.”

In the workplace, there is a higher chance of having colleagues, predecessors, role models, and even developing friendships with someone in a different generation than your own. Seniors in the field learn from millennials, while millennials, and Gen Z learn from experienced tenure. That same mentality goes for recruiting and staffing departments seeking employees to cultivate adaptable employees.

All highly successful people have one thing in common; they were all curious; someone who is creative, inspired and determined to find effective solutions. Thomas Edison didn’t come up with the answers himself on the first go around. He proved other solutions invalid via trial and error because he was curious to see if they would work. Curiosity lead him to the creation of the light bulb. Never be complacent. You should never be satisfied with simply all that you know now, but what you can learn from someone else.

When a person is inexperienced, they are better off being inquisitive. The feeling of unfamiliarity or ineptness can occur and often cause insecurity. Why not build confidence through interest and inquisitiveness? Explore different solutions and discover completely different ways of doing things.

In the world of teaching and educating audiences, instead of asking “does anyone have any questions?” one should get in the habit of instead asking, “what questions do you have?” This poses an entirely different response; a collaborative and constructive open line of communication, and in turn, amplified innovation and motive from the audience.

In my current workplace, curiosity is highly encouraged. In the world of communication technology and computer networking, I have never been more inclined to ask questions where a lot of the answers are still being researched today. As the world of artificial intelligence is underway, it will start to become the new means of the future. Although the future is unknown, we can get a little closer as humans by becoming more curious. Drive direction in areas of uncertainty and challenge, and never settle for the easiest or first instance of a resolution.

Challenge your perspective, by gaining someone else’s. If more people spent time trying to gain perspective, society would get a lot further a lot faster. A perspective that doesn’t match your own, fosters progress and enables growth. Asking questions open doors to opportunities you wouldn’t find otherwise. Instilling curiosity reveals one thing for certain, that you care. Focus on the ones who care, and steer clear from those who don’t.

I personally encourage you to ask questions, expand your horizons, and become the industry expert yourself to instill an entirely new perspective from what you once acquired, or let alone acknowledged.