Curiosity
- Is the person inquisitive and interested in exploring new situations and new approaches?
Definition: Curiosity means people are open minded to learn more about environment, things and people, by asking probing questions, or doing ad hoc research to get a better understanding of the context.
CONTEXT:
This behavior is developed in organizations where:
- People communicate freely and easily and are encouraged to question and challenge
- Continuous progress in performance is encouraged
On the contrary, what hinders this behaviour might include anything which:
- Discourages people from investigating outside their own field of competence
- Discourages people from asking questions for fear of displeasing or embarrassing others
- Tends to encourage people to act hastily (including to reassure themselves and without any prior preparation)
- Reinforces functional silos or other internal barriers
| Level |
Standard |
Developed |
Highly developed |
| Summary |
Does simple research |
Digs deeper using different approaches |
Scans widely and constantly the environment |
| Behavioral Indicators |
- Investigates the problem or situation beyond routine questioning
- Does formal research through newspapers, magazines, computer research systems or other resources
- Finds those closest to the problem and investigates further
- Carefully prepares questions in order to extract the information required quickly and efficiently
- Uses questions appropriately, researching views with an open mind but clarifying key facts
- Does not stop with the first answer; finds out why something happened
|
- Enlarges the circle of investigation
- Systematically gathers information from a wide range of sources, and checks their accuracy and appropriateness
- Makes a specific effort to collect data from various information sources (including unusual ones)
- Proactively contacts a range of internal or external experts, gathering their ideas and views on issues
- Asks a series of probing questions to get at the root of a problem or potential opportunity below the surface issues presented
- Demonstrates tenacity by uncovering fresh important information to inform own and others’ decisions
|
- Invests time staying up to date with internal and external developments, actively searching for inspiration and useful information
- Is on the lookout for opportunities; is interested in different markets, different technologies…
- Develops his/her own network of people in charge of gathering information
- Looks internally within the Company and externally
- Has personally established on-going systems or habits to get information (eg management by walking around, scanning of certain publications)
- Is systematically “on alert” regarding technological or competitors data
|
| Behaviors which are not representative include* |
- Being satisfied with the basic data or answers given
- Limiting his/her investigations to a specific field of competence
- Neglecting other available information sources
- Never trying to find out more than necessary
- Taking what is said for granted without double checking
|
