6 Articles with The Latest Insights into Workplace Curiosity
6 Articles with The Latest Insights into Workplace Curiosity
And the photograph capturing death from excessive curiosity
On February 20, 1970, 14-year-old Keith Sapsford snuck into Sydney Airport and hid in the wheel well of a Japan-bound plane.
Keith's curiosity drove him towards this adventure. But this adventure had a tragic end. Shortly after takeoff, Keith fell from a height of 200 feet.
This chilling moment was inadvertently captured by John Gilpin, an amateur photographer testing his new camera lens at the airport. The photo he took just before the tragedy unfolded serves as a stark reminder that even our our most lauded traits have a shadow side.
Explore the Tradeoffs
Curiosity - hailed as the catalyst for innovation and the key to unlocking human potential. But what happens when the pursuit of the unknown leads us down a path of unintended consequences? In the world of organizations, curiosity is celebrated in theory, but is it truly embraced in practice?
From cognitive biases and norm violations to the threat of unsettling established conventions, curiosity can be mischievous. A paradox of curiosity - despite universal admiration for this psychological strength, it is often suppressed in the very places where it is deemed an asset.
I'm thrilled to announce the publication of the Special Issue “Curiosity in Organizations and at Work” that I co-edited with Drs. Spencer Harrison, Evan Polman, and Ronit Kark. You can read our overview on the complexities of curiosity by clicking here.
As a token of appreciation for your continued support, here is access to every article in the issue.
Mastering the Politics of Curiosity
Curiosity in the workplace can be perceived as insubordination (and not the principled kind) or unlikability by managers. This study reveals how politically skilled employees can navigate this potential pitfall. It highlights the importance of constructive curiosity and the shared responsibility of managers and employees in fostering a positive perception of curiosity. Click here for the full article.
Blissfully Ignorant Decision-Making
Ever wondered what it would be like to make decisions in the dark? Not literally, of course, but by purposefully limiting information you have. Imagine a sommelier judging wines without knowing the vineyard or the price, relying solely on the taste and aroma. This is a classic example of 'blinding' in decision-making. It's a fascinating balance between curiosity and bias, where we either seek out or deliberately ignore information that could sway our judgement. Dive into this intriguing world across seven studies by clicking here.
The Paradox of Information Gaps
Feeling deprived of important information in the workplace - they're more than a nuisance. New research suggests that information gaps stir up a mix of curiosity and frustration among employees, each influencing work engagement in its own way. These scientists even created a new scale to measure work-related information gaps. Dive into the full article by clicking here.
Curiosity as a Nudge
Ever found yourself torn between what you want and what you should do? Some researchers have found a fascinating solution: 'curiosity lures'. These lures spark curiosity and promise satisfaction, but only if the 'should' choice is made. In large-scale field experiments, they observed a 9.8% increase in stairwell use and a 10% increase in fruit and vegetable purchases. It seems that curiosity could be the nudge we need to make better choices. Intrigued? You can click here to read the full article (I also discussed curiosity lures in a prior issue - click here).
A Restaurant Case Study on Harnessing Curiosity
Using the case of Rasmus Munk and his two Michelin-starred restaurant Alchemist, suggest a balance between novelty and familiarity is key to success. There is value in 'de-familiarizing the familiar' which is counter-balanced by 'familiarizing the unfamiliar.' Read more about this intriguing approach by clicking here.
That is a lot of intellectual juice in one setting! Consider downloading all the articles to read later. Here’s to bringing curiosity to the forefront of how we think, work, relate, and play daily.
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Did I say 6 articles?
“Who is it that doesn’t want you to be curious? Totalitarian regimes. People who have something to hide.” - Mario Livio