Virtual Team Building

Why the Best Gift You Can Give Your Team Is…Curiosity?

  • Thursday October 15, 2020
  • Connection   
  • Teams   

2020 presented teams with disruption to their end markets and personal lives. Not even the desk and chair from which they worked was safe from change.

 

How do you equip teams to thrive in an era defined by change and “new normals”? 

 

Ask them to take a lesson from their cat.

 

A 2018 Harvard Business Review article highlighted four benefits to ‘curiosity’

 

(1) The curious explore alternatives

They are less susceptible to confirmation bias (looking for information that supports their beliefs and ignoring data suggesting they are wrong). Curious teams also do less stereotyping (making broad judgments). 

 

(2) Curious teammates onboard more easily

They seek-out information constantly and build their own understanding.

 

(3) Curious teams view tough situations more creatively

They have less defensive reactions to stress and less negative reactions to setbacks.

 

(4) Curious teams tend toward less group conflict

Members put themselves in one another’s shoes and take an interest in one another’s ideas rather than focus only on their own perspective. 

 

So what to do if your team’s curiosity needs a boost?

 

The most important may be to model inquisitiveness yourself. Most executives feel obliged to provide the answer and show ‘leadership’. However, the best form of leadership — particularly in times of ambiguity — may be to ask questions and listen with curiosity.

 

As an example, Toyota has maintained a lead over auto manufacturers not by inventing kanbans and lean production, but by maintaining a culture of ‘humble learning’ — of ‘curiosity’ — that is embedded in the Toyota Way.

 

Benefits of Curiosity

 

Curiosity is an important part of our personal growth and learning. With this growth comes many benefits, too. From physical to mental well-being, curiosity is an important piece of your thriving team puzzle.

 

Curiosity Makes People Happier

 

Research indicates that curiosity is related to increased levels of positive emotions, well-being, and satisfaction. In addition, it seems that the most curious people have less anxiety than others. It’s believed that those who are curious are more apt to seek out knowledge which causes the release of dopamine.

 

Fostering a sense of curiosity is great for you and your team. Asking questions, coming up with new ideas, and similar actions could make you a happier person.

 

Curiosity Leads to Higher Achievement

 

Curiosity has long been considered a motivator for excellent classroom learning for kids. However, research also now indicates that the same is true for adults. People in the workforce who are curious tend to have better job performance and tend to excel at learning in the workplace.

 

Curiosity Expands Our Empathy

 

Another benefit of curiosity is a higher level of empathy. The most empathetic people are those who are curious about those around them. A natural sense of inquisitiveness is to be lauded. It means team members will work to understand each other in all situations.

 

Curiosity Strengthens Our Relationships

 

Research done on the topic of curiosity, social anxiety, and positive and negative affect in interpersonal closeness gives insight into another of the benefits of curiosity. In the study, those who had a more curious nature were better at creating positive relationships. These are the right kind of people to have on your team at work.

 

Curiosity Helps Us Overcome Fears

 

When people are curious, they don’t experience as many setbacks related to fears. Curiosity means pushing beyond discomfort and taking solace in the unknown. It can drive people to take action even when fear is present.

 

Curious individuals are open to going past their comfort zones. If it results in learning about something they are passionate about, they’ll tread on.

 

Curiosity Makes Us Better Problem Solvers

 

Being resourceful is a must for those who are curious and determine to find answers. Team members with curiosity will ask questions until they learn whatever it is they are interested in. It’s a game to find different ways to solve any problems.

 

Because of this, curious team members are the best at coming up with innovative and original ideas and thoughts.

 

Curiosity Breeds Self-Awareness and Humility

 

Of the benefits of curiosity, the final one to be aware of is its impact on self-awareness. Curious people are constantly questioning their values, perceptions, and beliefs about life. These people tend to know each other inside and out. Having that high degree of self-awareness leads to humility.

 

These team members are willing to experiment even when it comes to themselves. Finding methods to improve skills is a common activity. Curious people are always looking to create the best version of themselves.

 

Want to help your team develop their own curiosity? The Teamraderie “Ode to ‘Curiosity’ in Business” virtual experience is a 45-minute wine tasting that tells the story of lawyer-turned-vintner Jim Barrett who bought a crumbling 150 acre estate in Napa Valley in 1972. Barrett knew little about wine, but hired for ‘curiosity’ and gave his team the confidence to innovate. Four years later, Jim Barrett’s Chateau Montelena produced the world’s #1 rated wine — starting a multi-decade run of producing the world’s most innovative and acclaimed bottles.

Team Experiences for Connection

Why do we gather over coffee and tea? Why do we associate cafes with new connections, new thinking, and new ideas?

Coffee and tea create community and bring us together. Your teammates will receive elegant coffee and tea kits. One of the world’s top baristas will join you to lead coffee/tea brewing and tasting. Your team will discuss regional flavors and understand the journey from farm to cup.

Rekindle a cherished office tradition…without the line at the coffee/tea machine. Make the day brighter for your team.


[...]
$65 per person
30 min

Unleash the power of storytelling to build trust, empathy, and connections in the workplace.

Learn from an acclaimed visual artist and gain valuable tools to engage your audience and drive impact. Share your perspective as a story and inspire action.


[...]
$2,000 for up to 20 people
45 min

Harvard Business Review states, “Teams should make authenticity a core value from the start.” When employees introduce their authentic selves, “Both they and their employer perform better.”

Award-winning poet and song writer IN-Q joins you live. For the first ten (10) minutes, IN-Q performs a piece of work live — and your team becomes accustomed to ‘spoken word art’ or ‘slam poetry’ as a medium for story-telling. Then, IN-Q will share a prompt and your team will practice their own story-telling.

A February 2021 Wall Street Journal front-page article praised this Teamraderie experience for emblematic of how modern managers are adapting their style for a new era of work. The WSJ story quotes a Dell Technologies executive who used the experience to create “a deeper sense of trust between colleagues.” This experience will help your team form deep connections and trust – fast.


[...]
$3,000 for up to 20 people
01h30m
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