People often ask me for professional advice at various stages of their careers. Like most things in life, advice is most meaningful when it’s unique and specific for individuals. That said, there is one aspect of career advice that can be applied across the board regardless of industry or life phase/stage and that is the subject of Curiosity.

I’m a naturally curious individual so this is a topic that’s near and dear to my heart. There are numerous dimensions to curiosity, the most obvious one being the learning side. But there’s a whole human side to it too. There’s no better way to build trusting relationships with others than by being curious about them and taking time to understand what they’re about. That’s the ultimate way of showing others respect. In a world where the debate is too often about who’s right, curiosity opens our hearts and our minds to acceptance and differences, without judgement.

From a learning perspective, curiosity is one of the best remedies for breaking through on something we’re struggling with, whether it’s our understanding of certain subject matter or improvements we’re working on. Curiosity gives us leeway to test, to make mistakes, to learn and iterate, and to make whatever it is we’re doing stronger.

A great example of this is something I heard about during a recent meeting with some of our clinicians who were trying to modify a routine process to improve patients’ health outcomes and make the administrative tasks of managing care more efficient. They turned to technology and a new digital management product to help them perform the task virtually and integrate the data into the systems which then allowing them to spend more quality time with patients.   

This is a wonderful example of curiosity and being tenacious in finding a better way. It required them to venture into areas where they didn’t necessarily have expertise, like technology. But they embraced the unknown by gaining foundational knowledge of our technology infrastructure, then bringing in subject matter experts from various parts of the company to help. It’s projects like these that motivate us to think about our own work and assess if there’s a better way.

Here are just a few ways to bring curiosity into our daily routines …

• Observing our surroundings. Questioning (to understand) and seeing with fresh eyes things we encounter everyday but often overlook. Even things that seem dull and mundane can add a spark to our day.
• Seeking the unfamiliar. This is kind of like doing the opposite of what we normally do. It could be changing our route to work or to the store. Also, reading or listening to podcasts are accessible ways to fit new learnings into the day. And though we all have favorite areas of interest, I’ve found I learn the most when I explore topics where I’m not an expert.
• Making time for others. Spending time getting to know people and understanding what they’re about is one of the most powerful demonstrations of curiosity. It’s an opportunity to learn about them and learn from them. Even the random, unplanned run-ins with others can be hugely impactful … meeting new people, seeing longtime teammates, hearing others’ perspectives, learning about their passions and plans … it’s invigorating.
• Letting go. Life throws us curve balls. Unexpected events and challenges, combined with the numerous ways we can go about solving them, can be overwhelming. But being curious sets us free because it allows us to be okay with not having the perfect plan or the right answers. Instead, curiosity gives us the time and the space to learn our way there. Which also builds resilience.

Finally, a great way to practice curiosity is by embracing a “rookie” mindset when learning. When I’m learning something new, my approach is to ask lots of questions, being diligent in my understanding. I’m sure you’ve also had times of being a rookie, which requires humility and a confidence in not needing be the expert in the crowd.

My hope is you’ll practice curiosity and enjoy the wonderful experience that comes from being a rookie. Take care. Be well.