5 Ways to Ignite Workplace Curiosity
Workplace curiosity has a way of opening up our busnesses and deepening our engagement with it. Curiosity pushes us to think differently and drives us forward, propelling us to explore new solutions and possibilities. Curiosity is invaluable in igniting our enthusiasm for the work we do. How can leaders inspire their employees to be curious?
Encourage Continued Learning
The more we learn the more we are driven to learn more. Pair employees up on projects matching them with someone they can learn from and share their own expertise with. Allow your employees the time to work on side projects. While exploring and creating they will gain valuable skills and knowledge, and chances are their workplace curiosity will be contagious.
Build Asking into the Culture
Questions help us engage more fully. They heighten our listening skills. Questions help us better understand the people around us and help us anticipate challenges. When the act of asking questions is understood as a vital tool for growth, people are less inhibited to ask. Make sure there are a few minutes during every meeting dedicated to asking questions. You can even go further and create meetings JUST for asking questions. Have employees submit questions where one is chosen as the question of the week.
Build Stronger Relationships
We value workplace curiosity in others. It makes us feel listened to and understood. Curiosity also helps deepen our connections with people. Encourage new relationships in your workplace by scheduling activities where employees have the opportunity to interact. These can be regularly scheduled employee lunches, team building events, or holiday celebrations. Additionally, consider setting up a mentorship program so that new staff have the opportunity to learn from veterans.
Create a Knowledge Database
Create a company wide database or knowledge base where employees can share articles relevant to your industry, other industries, employee interests, etc. This can also be a place where employees share tips and tricks that have helped them be successful in their job. This database can be browsed by employees in downtime and is certain to spark ideas and encourage growth.
Get Outside Your Comfort Zone
Pushing yourself in an unfamiliar direction often leads to learning something new and leading you down a path of wanting to learn more. Help your employees tap into areas they have never explored. Provide your employees with the opportunity to work in a different department for the day, invite people to work on a project that offers an unusual challenge for them, or encourage them to read about subjects they don’t normally read. Designate times for them to get away from their computer and explore. Send them on an outing to a bookstore, library, museum or event where they may encounter something new.
Set an Example
Leaders are in a position to inspire a culture of curiosity. Be curious about your team members. Ask them about their ideas, their challenges, how they thought through the process on their latest project, how they think the company can improve in a certain area, are there any resources you could provide that would be helpful for them. Engaging your employees will strengthen your connection with them, while instilling in them the invaluable power of curiosity.
Curiosity is the engine that moves our businesses forward!