How Curiosity Boosts Creativity and Re-Engages the Workforce

By Moon Harper

Jan 13, 2024 05:11 AM EST

Employee Engagement — (Photo : Unsplash/Windows)

Curiosity allows us to seek fresh knowledge and possibilities that help us engage more profoundly with work, approach challenges proactively, and experience greater fulfillment.

Suppose you've been feeling less enthusiastic about work recently. In that case, you're not alone. Gallup reports the lowest point in employee engagement in nearly a decade, where less than one-third of U.S. workers are engaged, possibly driven by increased stress levels, financial uncertainties, and the constant digital age connectivity.

Promoting creativity remains challenging despite cultivating a more creative workplace that can enhance employee engagement. Fortunately, research suggests a potent pathway for creativity. It is emerging as a crucial factor in re-engaging the workforce- Curiosity, a way to boost creativity and employee engagement without explicitly mentioning creativity.

What Is the Link Between Curiosity and Creativity?

When curiosity is encouraged in teams, employees' actions and feedback indicate increased concern for each other and their collective work goals, making team members more proactive problem-solvers and less reactive problem-complainers.

A 2023 study in Current Psychology demonstrates that curiosity boosts both idea generation and creativity. This aligns with a 2019 study indicating that curiosity fosters creativity by linking ideas using early ideas as building blocks for subsequent ones.

Can Intellectual Curiosity be Taught?

Lauren Henkin, founder and CEO of The Humane Space, a wellness and education app designed to foster curiosity, thinks that curiosity doesn't require teaching because it's naturally within us all. Henkin highlights cognitive scientist Elizabeth Bonawitz's comparison of curiosity to sensations like hunger or thirst, where "We often associate curiosity only with childhood, but it actually grows as we age. The only difference is how we express curiosity-younger adults lean towards interactive activities, while adults engage in more passive ones, like reading."

Igniting Curiosity to Re-Engage Employees

Cultivating curiosity in the workplace is a basic human trait and demands regular practice. When leaders reap the rewards of a more engaged workforce, higher productivity, reduced turnover, and increased employee satisfaction can be attained.

Here are some ways to foster curiosity at work:

Encourage asking questions: Promote a culture where employees feel comfortable seeking information.
Support new ideas: Establish a safe space that values creative thinking.
Provide learning and development opportunities: Allow employees to acquire new skills and knowledge.
Create a culture that values curiosity: Create an atmosphere where curiosity is valued and seen as a positive trait.
Foster open communication: Encourage employees to express their thoughts and share creative concepts.
Acknowledge curiosity-driven initiatives: Recognize and commend efforts that come from curiosity.
Encourage curiosity, perspectives, and experiences: Embrace different viewpoints and backgrounds to stimulate curiosity.
Stimulate problem-solving: Present challenges that engage employees' problem-solving abilities.
Provide continuous learning resources: Support education and skill development.
Embrace a growth mindset: Encourage the idea that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and effort over time.

With a curiosity-centered workplace, employers can counter the trend of disengagement and rebuild relationships with employees, resulting in increased job performance, job satisfaction, innovation, and a more profound sense of connection.