Workplace values, like curiosity, are an essential aspect of any work environment. Whether you work from home or need to be in an office, employees need to adhere to certain unspoken standards of work ethics.
In other words, workplace values can be considered as a set of guiding principles that will help to shape the way you and your colleagues work together. When specific values are shared to be expected in order to work together in a professional setting, fewer misunderstandings will occur.
A happier, more cohesive and understanding environment will grow out of such a nurturing environment. And that’s got to be a win-win situation for everyone.
With all that being said, what are some of these workplace values that can help to improve the overall quality of your work environment?
In this article, you will be able to find out more about the workplace value of curiosity and 3 ways you can practice curiosity at your office.
What is curiosity?
Sure, you and I know what the term generally asks of anyone in a social setting. However, what exactly does it mean?
According to Lexico.com, curiosity refers to “a strong desire to know or learn something.”
Let’s take a moment to let that definition sink in.
In other words, curiosity could also potentially refer to the act of being eager to gain knowledge on a specific topic.
When placed into the context of a working environment, curiosity can take on many forms at the workplace. As with any workplace value, we use curiosity as a guiding principle to help us make better decisions as a colleague, and more importantly, as an individual.
How then we can apply it at the workplace? Read on to find out 🙂
How to practice curiosity at the office?
Practicing the workplace value of curiosity at the office doesn’t actually call for much effort! Meaning to say, that it does not need to be big or outlandish gestures.
We practice curiosity through the simple, and daily acts of our everyday lifestyle. As such, here are 3 steps you can take to start practicing curiosity within your own office space.
Ask questions
Asking questions to clear your doubts is one of the first steps you can take to practice curiosity at the workplace.
Nobody comes to work with all the answers. We all have our doubts and learning curves at work. An inquisitive individual will take it upon himself/herself to ask questions whenever in doubt. This allows room for the expansion of one’s knowledge pool.
As such, one way to demonstrate curiosity is by ensuring that he or she asks any questions that come to their mind.
Practice curiosity especially when you are taking on a new project or task. Unsure about the tiniest of details? Ask questions. Not sure if how you completed a task is the most effective method out there? Ask.
As Confucius once said, “The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life”.
And so, ask all the questions you like. That’s one way to practice the workplace value of curiosity.
Offer a helping hand
One can practice curiosity in relation to his or her role at the workplace too! How exactly? Curiosity can just as easily be explored through the offering of a helping hand at work.
Don’t just stick to your tasks alone, either! You can always practice curiosity by helping out your colleagues whenever they may need some assistance with their work too. Offering to help is one way you can expand your own skill sets.
As you lend out a helping hand, you are also reaching out to learn more about a project or task that may not have come your way. Always keep in mind that it’s not just work-related knowledge you can acquire, but also people and their lived experiences too. Making a new friend can become an unexpected plus when you practice curiosity.
Thus, seeking new experiences and satiating your curiosity at work is as easy as offering a helping hand!
Set some goals for yourself
The third, but perhaps, the most effective way you can practise the workplace value of curiosity at your office is by setting some goals for yourself.
This can include a range of short-term as well as long-term goals. It can either be related to your own field of work or you could consider exploring work from a different department within your firm. For instance, if you currently do copywriting and would like to explore digital marketing, give it a go!
Keep your options open when it comes to learning something new. However, to ensure that you do in fact achieve something at the end of the day, set some goals for yourself. Pause to reflect on where you are and where you are headed. That’s one of the most effective strategies to practice the workplace value of curiosity.
When you’re able to keep a list of things you’d like to explore by a certain date, you’d be more motivated to stay inquisitive. As such, setting some goals for yourself is one other way to practise the workplace value of curiosity at the office!
What's next?
And there you have it – a piece on an absolutely critical workplace value of curiosity. We hope the information in this article has helped you get a clearer idea of how you can better practice curiosity at the workplace.
Instilling workplace values, like the above, at your office can rake in numerous benefits for every employee. Remember, a little effort can go a long way to ensure a happy and successful workplace for everyone!
Keep a lookout for other workplace values we will be discussing as part of this series soon! Searching for a new workplace that practices these workplace values? On the hunt for a new job?
If you’re on the lookout for jobs within other industries that are nonetheless located in Singapore, here’s an article that shares with you the top 19 job portals in Singapore.
No matter the industry or the position, remember to visit GrabJobs to find a job opportunity in Singapore easily!
