How to cultivate Curiosity ?

Curiosity is defined as “a strong desire to know or learn something.” To me, it means comprehending anything, searching for answers, and taking pleasure in the unique experience that comes with it. Past few months I was reflecting how curiosity has been in my life. I didn’t love to party with all family members and friends but to figure out what is personality and then I came to know that I am an introvert which was really a big surprise to me.

“Wisdom is a reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you [wanted] to talk.” — DOUG LARSON

Now let me directly move into two important steps which any one can follow to create curiosity.

Go Deeper

1. Asking question: the best way to be curious is to ask questions and this is obvious by being more curious on the subject or conversation which is taking place. It’s important to inquire as many question as to clear the doubt in mind over those things be it any activity/work. Asking question such as so what’s the end goal and what will it achieve will surely help. You should have come across a two- or three-year-old child, who constantly keep asking the question such as “what,” “why,” and “how” about everything they see all around them. They want to know even more and aren’t concerned with what’s good or bad; they immediately ask and clarify the doubts in the mind. As we become older, we are concerned about the outcome of asking the question and decide if it’s the right to ask her and which is where we tend to lose the most significant step to move in the curiosity stage.

2. How do we go deep in asking questions? — Most of the time when we are talking to anyone, we tend to have a casual or simple talk for example: “How are you doing?” “I am good. Thank you”. “How about you ?” and so on. The question is how often we ask about their feeling and the challenges/problem they are facing. Besides, all these it’s very critical to stay focussed and while listening to them. To get involved or make him comfortable we should start the conversation to know more about him and his experiences. And then slowly talk about yourself and make him/her comfortable. We need to make sure that we genuinely interested in listening to them. Once you both are having a great conversation then bring up a topic if he/she is ready to talk by simply asking I have a question for you and I am really interested to know your thoughts on it.

Being Comfortable

1. Curious people are much better at adapting and react positively to change since they are transparent, open minded and ready to accept different points of view, which results in better approach to decision making. Keep in mind as you grow in your career with more responsibilities and power you will have more things to do while having less time and hence might keep away from those professionals’ ideas. It’s important again for you to be curious to know about other ideas and make sure that you have allocated time for the same.

2. Get used to saying “I don’t know” more frequently. This enables you and others to recognise ambiguity, accept it, and start figuring out how to get there. Sometime when tend to say yes even if we have don’t have much idea about the same and we tend to lose the opportunity what we may encounter during the journey of exploring it.

3. Come up with something new at least once a quarter, or even more frequently if possible. This could include performing different task such as reading or watching a different book or movie, or even trying to a cook new dishes or even visiting some new place which make us learn about a culture which literally can provide us huge points to think on . You’ll not only get out of a prospective rut, but you’ll also be exposed to something new, which may give you a different perspective on work.

Curiosity is an essential part of improving a “growth mindset,” which will help you become a better executive, a stronger leader, and gain an understanding of the other perspectives. So, in short, it’s how train your brain and yourself to be curious which is same as training your muscle every day and achieving the goal of lean/six-pack with continuously working on it. In the same brain can be trained regardless of your career stage, age and personality to take it to the next level.

How organization can cultivate the curiosity culture Part 3— Coming Soon