Anyone who has children or is around them a lot knows that from ages two to five years one of their favorite words is “why.” We delight in a child’s constant quest to know why things are the way they are – even it if tests our patience not to mention our knowledge.
As we get older, we find ourselves asking why less often, in part because we know more. But could it also mean, we’re less interested or less curious? After all no one knows everything. Are we not asking why enough?
Einstein said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Geoffrey James would agree.
James, who writes the Sales Source blog on Inc.com, asserts that you can’t be successful in business without curiosity, and he addresses the issue in his recent post, “The Business Value of Curiosity.” James considers curiosity a necessary tool that you need in most everything you do. He cites seven ways that having curiosity can impact your small business or professional career. Here are some of them:
“Building customer relationships: People are drawn to those who show interest in them. Having an abiding fascination in others give you the opportunity to learn new things about them, thereby making a deeper connection.”
“Solving customer problems: It’s a truism that customers are looking for solutions to their problems. It’s only possible to create a meaningful solution if you’re motivated by true curiosity about what’s actually going on and why those problems recur.
And about motivating employees:
“Some bosses think of employees as cogs in a corporate machine. However, if you want to get the best out of people, you must be curious about their dreams and desires.”
You can read the rest of James’ points at: http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/the-business-value-of-curiosity.html
James message is a valuable one. I think of curiosity as a habit and one that you never stop cultivating. We should never get too busy or too comfortable in our way of thinking to stop asking questions. And the key is to ask questions with a tone of curiosity versus using an interrogative tone. That way, you get much more honest input from people as they are not on the defensive.
How has being curious made a difference in your small business?
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