Curiosity may have killed the cat but in business, it’s the cat’s meow!

In the past, we’ve talked about taking ownership of your position and being proactive in your role. Today, we’re going to dive into the importance of curiosity in the workplace.

Now, I know the saying “curiosity killed the cat,” but let me tell you, in business, curiosity is the cat’s meow. It can lead to new discoveries, better problem-solving skills, and improved communication with your colleagues.

As Walt Whitman once said, “Be curious, not judgmental.” It’s easy to make assumptions about people and situations, but when we approach them with curiosity, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities.

Have you seen that episode of Ted Lasso where he’s playing darts in a pub with Rupert Manion? It’s a great example of how assumptions can lead us astray. Rupert makes the mistake of underestimating Ted because he doesn’t bother to be curious about him.

If Rupert had asked a simple question, like whether Ted had played darts before, he would have known that Ted had been playing every Sunday for six years with his father. As a result, Rupert ends up losing a significant bet. The lesson here is clear: when we make assumptions instead of being curious, we miss out on valuable information that could make all the difference.

The same goes for our industry. When we assume things about our clients, we limit our ability to provide the best care and service possible. But when we approach each client with curiosity, asking questions and seeking to understand their unique situation, we become better at our jobs and more valuable team members.

Here are a few examples of how being curious can help us better own our roles:

• Improved Problem-Solving: When we approach a problem with a curious mindset, we are more likely to ask questions, gather information, and explore different solutions. By doing so, we can identify the root cause of a problem and come up with more effective solutions.
• Better Communication: When we are curious about our colleagues and their perspectives, we are more likely to listen actively and communicate effectively. This can help us avoid misunderstandings and build stronger relationships with our team members.
• Increased Innovation: Curiosity can be a powerful driver of innovation. By staying curious about new ideas and technologies, we can identify opportunities to improve our products, services, and processes.
• Enhanced Learning: When we approach our work with curiosity, we are more open to learning new things. This can help us stay up-to-date with the latest trends in our industry and develop new skills that make us more valuable team members.
• Stronger Client Relationships: By being curious about our clients and their needs, we can provide more personalized and effective solutions. This can lead to stronger client relationships and increased loyalty over time.

So, let’s all channel our inner cat and embrace curiosity in our roles. Who knows what we might discover?