7 ways to remain curious in the face of uncertain futures.
Updated 21 December 2023
The world is changing fast. Every day, the pace of change seems to quicken and the rate at which society shifts seems to accelerate. And it's not just technology that's evolving quickly; Nowadays, change is happening at an accelerated pace, on a variety of scales: social, political, cultural, technological and environmental.
And yet . . . if you want your company to thrive amid this change, then you need to start fostering curiosity more than ever before. The ever-changing world around us is presenting new challenges, and it can be difficult to keep up with all the changes in technology, society, politics and culture. Leaders must spend time listening to other's ideas and cultivating genuine curiosity about what could happen next rather than fearing what might be coming toward them.
In Zen Buddhism, this is called the beginner's mind. Instead of approaching a situation with preconceived notions, assumptions or expectations, the beginner's mind is open to continuous learning. When the world around you becomes more unpredictable, cultivating a sense of wonder can help you remain curious, and drive personal growth and positive outcomes.
Curiosity helps you focus on moving forward and looking at something with the mindset of a beginner, always asking questions to understand a situation better.
How can leaders foster curiosity in uncertain times?
Here are 7 ways to encourage curiosity:
Ask open-ended questions.
Curiosity starts with asking questions, and leaders can foster this by keeping an open mind and asking open-ended questions that explore a person's perspective and encourage employees to think differently. Open-ended questions have no clear answer or solution, which allows for exploration and creativity.
Encourage experimentation.
Allowing employees the freedom to experiment with new ideas, approaches and technologies helps foster curiosity. By giving employees the autonomy to try new things, leaders can provide opportunities to create a culture of learning and innovation.
Create spaces for open discussion.
Leaders should create safe spaces for employees to openly share their ideas without fear of judgment or criticism. This allows for diverse perspectives and encourages curiosity by fostering an environment where all ideas are welcome.
Promote continuous learning.
In uncertain times, it's crucial to continually learn and adapt. Leaders can foster curiosity by promoting a culture of open-mindedness, where employees are encouraged to expand their knowledge and skills and build a strong desire to drive progress and innovation.
Lead by example.
Leaders must lead by example and support curious people. By showing genuine interest in new ideas and being open to different perspectives, leaders can encourage others to do the same. Others' ideas and perspectives can lead to new insights and solutions.
Embrace failure.
Innovation and growth often come from failures and mistakes, so leaders should embrace them as opportunities for learning and improvement. By creating a safe space for employees to fail, leaders can encourage curiosity and risk-taking, leading to new possibilities.
Celebrate curiosity and learning.
Leaders should celebrate curiosity and creative ideas within their team or organisation. Recognising and rewarding individuals who demonstrate curiosity can encourage others to do the same, creating a culture of continuous growth and improvement. Well-being is enhanced when individuals feel valued and appreciated, further motivating them to stay curious and strive for future growth.
It's not just about new ideas.
Curiosity can help leaders to navigate the unknown, consider what is possible and act with confidence. It will help people to see beyond the challenges of today to create an inspiring plan for tomorrow. A curious mindset means being able to look more deeply at all of the possibilities on offer so that you have a wider understanding of what's possible, all the better to capitalise on new opportunities.
Curiosity is being aware of what is happening around us, but not just accepting it as reality. It's about wanting to know how and why things are unfolding the way they are so that you can find ways to create something new.
When faced with uncertainty or ambiguity, it's normal to want to push away the unknown in favour of the known. We all tend to avoid situations that are not clear-cut or when uncertainty is high because that sense of mystery can be uncomfortable. However, it's important to acknowledge the uncertainty and use curiosity as a tool to navigate through it. By staying curious, individuals can embrace the unknown and view it as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat.
When you're willing to lean into your discomfort and look at things from a different perspective, something amazing happens. You'll discover that many of the things you fear will evaporate, and there are new opportunities on offer. When a curious mindset prevails, individuals will take more risks and seek out new possibilities. This can be hugely advantageous for an organisation's success as it encourages innovation and growth.
Leaders must cultivate curiosity within themselves and their teams to create a culture of exploration and learning. Instead of focusing solely on the immediate, leaders should encourage their team members to ask questions about the future:
“What if we try this?’
“What will happen if we do that?”
This type of curiosity can lead to innovative ideas and help organisations stay ahead of the game.
Curiosity is a powerful tool for human beings to drive personal and professional growth. It enables individuals to continuously learn, adapt, and evolve in a rapidly changing world. By embracing curiosity, you are opening yourself up to new experiences, opportunities, and perspectives. It improves your well-being as you learn to sense the world in new ways, building knowledge and perspective about life, reducing anxiety and stress and improving your ability to engage in interesting thinking. You build a sense of wonder and are open to new experiences and possibilities, which can lead to a more fulfilling life, even in challenging times.
It can be difficult to stay curious in times of uncertainty, but it's worth the effort. You'll need your curiosity more than ever before if you want to make an impact and create a better future for yourself and others. So, keep asking questions and seeking out learning opportunities. Because when you embrace the unknown, you might just discover something incredible.
Fostering curiosity, genuine curiosity.
Curiosity is an excellent quality for CEOs and Boards to have. It can be cultivated, and it doesn't have to stay the preserve of creative types. In today's rapidly changing business environment, all leaders need to develop curiosity. A curious approach to life allows us to explore opportunities and challenges with an open mind without fear or bias.
Curiosity demands that we move out of our comfort zone and away from certainty. Because of this, it can feel intimidating at times. When we stay curious, uncomfortable truths and challenging situations become more accessible for us to deal with. We are open-minded and prepared to listen attentively to each other's thoughts, spot opportunities, explore new thinking, and think of our futures in new ways. Organisations that power up curiosity as a core attribute will ensure continuous growth and improvement.
When you stay curious, your mind opens up to different perspectives. You see things with fresh eyes, and something amazing happens. You'll discover that many of the things you fear will evaporate, and there are new opportunities on offer. Instead of being overwhelmed by uncertainty, with curiosity, you'll have a sense of excitement about what lies ahead, be able to focus better on challenges, you'll engage and focus on creativity and find solutions that will benefit you, your business and those around you.
