Here at Ashorne Hill, where we live and breathe leadership and management development, we are often asked what skills are needed in an uncertain digital future. It’s fair to say that everyone – from graduates to team leaders and senior managers – has an unpredictable future on their hands as the pace of change escalates in the digital space.
So when we look at what organisations are going to need to thrive in years to come, it’s not technical skills that we can predict, but rather the personal or people skills that will be essential to succeed in an ever-changing business environment.
One of the aptitudes that has sometimes been overlooked or even dampened in the workplace is curiosity. Curiosity is defined as “a strong desire to know or learn something”, and therefore resonates with all of us championing a learning culture in any organisation.
So what can a curious mind bring to the office, and how can this benefit the wider team and organisation?
Being curious encourages people to challenge the norm, and by asking the right questions at the right time can lead to innovation and creativity around projects or tasks. By being self-aware and understanding how to question in a constructive way, a great leader can encourage this across the team. Asking questions is a great skill for managers, and something that shows you’re willing to listen and work collaboratively towards a successful goal.
Curiosity also improves connections within the team, as those who are eager to ask questions and learn tend to connect more and build supportive relationships empowered by trust.
How can we bring curiosity into the office?
Here are three simple ways to pique your curiosity:
- Try something new. Either learn a new skill – maybe ask a colleague to share some of their knowledge – or take time on your lunchbreak to try a new podcast. Curiosity breeds creativity;
- Ask people, not the internet. Next time you’re unsure about something, why not ask your team for their support or opinion? Reciprocity and sharing of knowledge breeds trust;
- Take a look at our website to learn more about how we energise learning for positive outcomes using a facilitated digital first approach.