Curiosity Supercharges your Ability to Think Critically

Cultivating Curiosity

Curiosity is defined as “a state in which you want to learn more about something.” It is a foundational block in the development of critical thinking. Curiosity concerns itself with breaking down complex issues, plans, and people to identify the most effective and defective attributes found in them.  It then becomes a launching pad for creative solutions as the most effective elements are drawn together and the negative elements can be discarded. Curiosity is often the spark that leads to breakthroughs and innovation. The Bible encourages us to seek out answers and grow in understanding through curiosity: 

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”

Proverbs 25:2 NIV

The message translation says it this way: “God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.” Having an inquisitive nature can be a great asset in business. It is often the catalyst for new ideas and development. 

Curiosity allows us to think more deeply and rationally about decisions, the questions we ask provide more angles and fresh perspectives that lead to more creative solutions. The process of pursuing these lines of inquisitiveness builds collaboration and deepens relationships among colleagues. Curiosity is good for business.   

With this in mind, it is worth considering if you have fostered a culture of curiosity?  The downside of curiosity is that it can take longer in a meeting and can get uncomfortable at times. However, in the interest of single-minded efficiency and comfortability, we can end up with stagnation. A state of very little change and growth. As a leader, I have found there to be a benefit to getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Asking questions like: why do you believe that? why is that important to you? and why did that happen? will give you a lot more information to work with and grow from. Without curiosity, you get people doing the same things the same way because “that’s how we’ve always done it.” Curiosity is the prescription for stagnation. 

Curiosity gives us the drive to do something better, to experiment, to imagine a better way of doing things. It drives exploration, discovery, and growth. How can you foster this skill in your life and the lives of your employees? 

The important thing is not to stop questioning … Never lose a holy curiosity.

Albert Einstein Tweet

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