Can a Lack of Curiosity at Work Hurt Your Career?

Great Careers Start Here
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Did you know that curiosity could help you live longer? It can also help you succeed in the workplace.

According to the webinar How to Build Curiosity to Improve Innovation, Engagement, and Productivity by Dr. Diane Hamilton, the first signs of cognitive decline begin as early as the age of 24. That’s just about the time many people head out into the working world to pursue a career. But one way to combat this decline is to stay curious. Curiosity can motivate you to do better and focus on improving your performance. Here’s why a lack of curiosity at work could hold you back:

Curiosity at Work Makes You a Critical Thinker

According to Dr. Hamilton, average three-year-olds ask their parents 100 questions a day. They’re naturally curious and creative; critical thinkers. In fact, in a landmark study, George Land found that 98 percent of 5-year-olds fall into the “creative genius” category, but just 2 percent of adults achieve the same results. Critical thinking is driven by curiosity. It allows you to ask questions about the world around you instead of accepting things at face value. In the workplace, being a critical thinker will help you better solve complex problems because you won’t just choose the obvious solution. When you’re curious and think critically, you will consider a range of solutions and ask important questions to help you decide the best course of action.

Curiosity Improves Communication with Coworkers

Communication is super important in the workplace. It helps you understand what’s expected of you and allows you to understand feedback on how you can improve. By being curious, you will ask your employers the right questions to ensure that you successfully complete your tasks. Curious employees are also able to share information more openly and they’re better listeners. And curiosity strengthens relationships in the workplace. It fosters two-way communication, which leads to deeper and more meaningful conversations. Curious people are more interested, which makes them more engaged.

Curiosity Sparks Innovation in the Workplace

Curiosity has been responsible for most inventions and breakthroughs throughout history. For example, Georges de Mestral invented Velcro after his dog was covered in burrs. Instead of just removing them from the dog’s fur, de Mestral took a closer look. He was curious. He examined the burrs to figure out how they attached so well. From what he learned, Velcro was born. He patented it in 1955 and grew an entire company from a single idea.

Are you ready to turn your natural curiosity into success? Charter College can help you get started. With career training programs in fields like Business, Health Care, Information Technology, Veterinary Assistant, and some Trades, we can provide you with the tools you need for rewarding careers where your curiosity will pay off.