For Mr. Diwakar Chittora, CEO & Founder of IntelliPaat it was always his interest to become an entrepreneur. Holding a Master’s degree in Information Technology from IIIT Bengaluru, Diwakar at the helm of building strategies for the company’s growth, Intellipaat has established itself as the fastest moving company in the training business.
Curiosity births innovation and in recent times, it has become imperative for survival and growth. There have been numerous examples of businesses or sectors going redundant because of the lack of innovation. Since the society is constantly on the lookout for something new and innovative, with time, it seems rather futile to not ensure a workplace environment that encourages and supports curiosity innovation.
Connection between Curiosity and Innovation
Curiosity has driven every scientific breakthrough that has altered the path of history since the dawn of time. We had to learn how to build a fire in order to survive. We sent men to the moon at a period when computer science was still in its infancy. This implies that the need to find answers to big issues, learn new things, and try out new things, no matter how crazy, is a basic human tendency.
Curiosity has spawned some of the world’s most successful enterprises. The fact that the same companies are at the forefront of innovation is no accident. Knowing this, it only makes sense for businesses and companies to want to enhance their workplaces and make them such that they allow the employees to let their creative juices flow, ask questions, come up with new ideas and use their brain to their full capacity.
The Importance of Curiosity
In many cases, asking inquiries is regarded as a hindrance. In such a scenario, it becomes the organization leaders’ responsibility to be aware of the importance of curiosity for success, as well as the various ways in which people are interested, in order to foster a culture of curiosity at work.
The World Economic Forum predicted that, by the year 2020, creativity, originality, and initiative, as well as analytical thinking and innovation, active learning, and learning methodologies, will be in high demand. Leaders in 21st-century agile organizations, according to McKinsey, must develop capabilities to help them lead in insecure, fast changing situations. A mindset of creative discovery is required, as is supporting innovation, collaboration, and value creation, as well as assisting their teams in adopting new agile working methods. The ability of leaders to build these new skillets is determined by their curiosity. Curiosity, a desire to learn new things and develop oneself and others, and a hunger for innovation are important factors to consider when evaluating executive potential.
A Culture of Curiosity and Innovation Helps Businesses to grow
Curiosity motivates us to seek out new experiences. It allows us to expand our knowledge, intelligence, relationships, and creative abilities. Curiosity is necessary for human progress and invention. It is undoubtedly necessary for effective leadership and innovation. The advantages of improved performance in the workplace are well-known. For firms, leaders, and employees, curiosity today provides even larger benefits than previously recognized. These benefits include:
Decision-making quality increases: When our curiosity is piqued, we are more likely to investigate many alternatives and a broader range of possibilities, rather than seeking proof to back up our opinions and relying on stereotypes. Encouraging employees to be curious leads to positive comments that lead to improvements in the workplace.
Employee performance improves: Curiosity is significantly linked to competence, improved performance, and the ability to adapt to new surroundings and responsibilities.
General well-being improves: People who display interest in a specific way report feeling happier. They are less stressed, aggressive, and defensive, and they are more confident in their ability to deal with challenging situations.
Better results overall by reducing conflict: Rather than focusing on their own perspective, curiosity allows members to empathize and put themselves in the shoes of others. This allows them to collaborate more effectively and achieve better results.
Problem-solving abilities strengthen: Curious people are more likely to ask more questions, which makes it easier for them to grasp people and problems.
Employees learn better: Inquisitive people tend to learn more and faster. This has unintended consequences on job-related knowledge and performance.
The Guide to Creating a Culture of Curiosity and Innovation at the Workplace
The recruiting managers and organizational leaders are exclusively responsible for building an organization into a dedicated innovator. Businesses must think creatively and create out-of-the-box concepts in order to take the innovative route. It also entails creating a work climate that exudes development, positivity, acceptance of change, and willingness to change. Here are a few ways that can assist leaders in building such a culture:
Igniting Passion: Passion gives people a sense of purpose and motivates them to collaborate and achieve a goal. It serves as the organization’s fuel, much like food does for our bodies. Organizations get empowered enough to achieve any goal with a team of committed employees. Employees, on the other hand, are meagre resources labouring solely to drive the firm forward in the absence of this magical component.
Praising wins, no matter big or small: It’s critical to recognize and reward every ounce of inventiveness and triumph. Rewards come in a variety of forms, with monetary rewards being the most essential. Giving a bonus check is a fantastic start, but it isn’t the only way to show our appreciation for our employees. Other potential means of rewarding employees for their out-of-the-box thinking include praising and appreciating their ideas, as well as providing career prospects and incentives.
Accepting change with open arms: Another necessity for organizations to build an innovative culture is to let go of rigidity and not be afraid of change. They’ve realized that change breeds invention, and that adversity breeds opportunity. As a result, they are embracing change and finding motivation from obstacles in order to explore new ideas and come up with novel thoughts.
Summing Up
A company’s success is highly dependent on how curious it’s employees are and their ability to innovate. Being flexible and agile is vital in today’s world, but it’s the creative culture of the firms that makes or breaks them. As a result, adopting innovation is no longer a choice, but rather a must. This transition from traditional employment to building an innovative work culture is difficult, but it can also be rewarding and useful if the correct tactics are developed and applied, as described above.