Curiosity Listicle

In 2016, we weren’t the only ones taking a closer look at curiosity. In fact, we found conversations about curiosity and aspects of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s four dimensions of curiosity – inquisitiveness, creativity in problem solving, openness to new ideas and distress tolerance – happening all over the world.

In this post, we feature some of the highlights from the 2016 curiosity conversation.

How to Cultivate the Art of Serendipity
By Pagan Kennedy
The New York Times  
January 2, 2016

Penicillin. X-ray imaging. Pacemakers. 

Some of the greatest inventions in science have been a result of discoveries made by pure chance. At the heart of the search for a serendipitous discovery is curiosity. Rather than sheer luck, these inventions are the result of a combination of luck and curiosity. Pagan Kennedy argues that we need to be curious to master the art of discovering something we were not necessarily seeking outright. It is curiosity that transforms a mistake into a breakthrough.  

A Global Survey Explains Why Your Employees Don’t Innovate
By David Sturt and Jordan Rogers
Harvard Business Review
February, 24 2016 

While almost all CEOs seek employees who innovate, they may not all see how the company plays a role in cultivating that employee curiosity. Innovation starts from the top. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's State of Curiosity report also supports this assertion. The study found that all employees need encouragement, time, and resources to innovate. With support from executives, employees are encouraged to be curious and push themselves beyond their own boundaries.

Four Personality Types that make Successful Entrepreneurs
By Caroline Beaton
Business Insider
March 30, 2016

The first step to understanding how to be more curious in the workplace is to understand people‘s personalities. Caroline Beaton uses the Myers-Briggs personality test to highlight the traits that make the most innovative employees. She suggests that a particularly innovative personality will, for example, pursue knowledge, see opportunities everywhere, learn from failures and implement decisions confidently-traits similar to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's four dimensions of curiosity.

Nine Strategies Entrepreneurs Can Use for Creative Problem Solving
By Syed Balkhi
Huffington Post
April 22, 2016

Entrepreneurship is not just about being in tune with business concepts, data analysis, and logic. It also requires creativity and a free exploration of ideas. By deep diving into one of our dimensions of curiosity – creativity in problem solving – Syed Balkhi is able to show the value of creativity in business and offer ways to cultivate that creativity. 

Is Your Curiosity Suffering from Cabin Fever?
By Rene Warren
Entrepreneur.com
May 5, 2016

Creative cabin fever can mean the difference between coming up with the next innovative solution and being stuck in thought. Renee Warren, Founder and CEO of marketing agency, Onboardly, offers solutions to tapping into that curiosity. These solutions include: taking time to step away from the work and practicing mindfulness to reaffirm the importance of distress tolerance in ensuring creativity and curiosity flourish. 

‚Curiouser and Curiouser‘—The Power of Childlike Curiosity
By Pam Warren
The Huffington Post UK
June 28, 2016

„Why?“

It is a common phrase children use, but adults tend to forget about the importance of simply asking more questions. By being more inquisitive, employees will ask all the necessary questions, explore the issues a little further, and increase their own potential to contribute to new breakthroughs. 

Does Curiosity Really Kill the Cat?
By Janine Garner
Huffington Post
July 20, 2017

„Curiosity may well have killed the cat, but just as a cat has nine lives, in business we have to be prepared to reincarnate and envision new life.” Janine Garner admits that exploration in the workplace can be daunting because there is always the possibility of failure; however, the only way to grow is to push beyond that fear and be constantly curious. To do something truly innovative, people must feel comfortable challenging the status quo. 

In China, Some Schools Are Playing with More Creativity, Less Cramming
By Anthony Kuhn
NPR
August 8, 2016

Nurturing creativity and curiosity early is key. Certain schools in China have recognized that and are instilling the need for a future generation of curious, self-motivated, and independent critical thinkers. Among students in China, encouraging curiosity and creativity not only increases a student’s ability to think outside-the-box, but also a student’s distress tolerance. By combining these dimensions, children can develop skills that make them lifelong innovators.  

Four Ways to Improve Creative Collaboration Within Teams
By Tendayi Viki
Forbes
September 25, 2016

Curiosity is about more than what an individual can do; it’s about what employees can do when they work together. As Tendayi Viki says, „Innovation is a team sport.” Employees are more inquisitive when they are exposed to new disciplines; come up with new insights when they are in social settings; and grow their ideas when they are challenged and supported by others. 

Cultivating creativity in an always-on work environment
By Charlotte Rogers
Marketing Week
October 28, 2016

With the distractions of the modern world, many companies seek ways to carve out space and time for curiosity in the workplace. Managers, executives, and other business leaders want to promote creativity and curiosity by encouraging their employees to tune in to their surroundings. With newly designed office spaces that inspire thought and encourage opinion-sharing, employees can be curious in “an always-on work environment.”

Passionate Curiosity is the Game Changer You Seek
By Stacey Alcorn
Entrepreneurs.com
November 29, 2016

Stacey Alcorn argues that curiosity is the magic employers look for in employees. She continues that curiosity does not just mean being nosey and asking questions, rather it means thinking imaginatively, seeing things from a new perspective, learning from other industries, and supporting others. Without curiosity, the most successful business leaders, entrepreneurs, celebrities, or athletes would not push themselves to learn more and do more. 

Why Finding Time Each Day For Creativity Makes You Happier
By Carolyn Gregoire
Huffington Post
December 2, 2016

According to a study from New Zealand, being creative leads to positive emotions and greater success. When pursuing creative activities, people feel more enthusiastic and energized – in other words, they „flourish”. This goes to show that creativity can not only help individuals flourish in their personal life or work, but it also has the potential to increase distress tolerance.