Redeveloping our curiosity
In the March issue of Associations Now, Jeff De Cagna outlines several new traditions associations need to adopt in order to survive. First on his list is a tradition of curiosity and a total commitment to continued learning. In order to infuse the associations we work for with an insatiable hunger for knowledge—whether it provides what we hope to find or something totally different—we first need to cultivate curiosity in ourselves as individuals.
Parents encourage small children to be curious about the world. To explore their physical surroundings and mental space. To ask questions and wonder why. In school, from kindergarten to college, teachers promote curiosity by leading students in conducting science experiments, analyzing historical events, and imagining new solutions. But too often in the work world, curiosity loses priority in favor of increasing productivity or maintaining the status quo. If, as De Cagna says, curiosity will be a necessary component of a thriving association, deeply curious people will be needed to manage them. We have the opportunity to distinguish ourselves now as self-motivated learners who look for knowledge everywhere.
Redeveloping our curiosity can happen through formal professional development opportunities, web-based forums, in-person gatherings, and good old-fashioned reading of books and magazines. To foster curiosity among our teams, we could set up a position swap where staff members provide fresh perspectives on the issues facing co-workers in other departments. Or we could ask the whole office to read a groundbreaking book and discuss it during lunch or happy hour. What other ways can we become more curious and jump-start an environment of learning in our organizations?
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Comments
As a staff member asked a question today that at first seemed distracting, I did mentally slap my hand and take the time to answer. Now reading this posting, I happy to report that I did in fact open a channel for curiosity today. So I guess my baby step will be to welcome seemingly unrelated questions (at least be more patient :) ). The point is valid ... we celebrate curiosity in the young. Imagine if we replaced some of our staff and volunteer awards with one the celebrated curiosity ... hmmm
Posted by: Peggy Hoffman | April 10, 2008 8:51 PM
Brynn, thanks so much for mentioning my article in your post. I'm pleased to know that it resonated with you.
I would offer a different perspective on how well our educational system promotes curiosity. In my experience, most of our education following early childhood is actually designed to make us less curious. In today's educational world, curiosity is inefficient relative to the endgame of raising test scores. While some of us have the opportunity to recapture a sense of curiosity in college or graduate school, often that work is focused on other priorities.
As you point out, we live in a time when curiosity is simply essential to individual and organizational success. Learning in the face of complexity is challenging work and requires something extra from us to make it sustainable. Curious people deeply value the experience of learning in its own right because it enriches them at a human level. These are the people we need working in our organizations.
Associations have a unique opportunity to rekindle the curiosity of their stakeholders and create stronger organizations in the process. You offer some great suggestions for how to go about doing that, and to them I would add the idea of inspiring staff and members to broaden their zones of comfort by creating unique learning experiences that invite them to ask new and different questions, challenge assumptions and rethink conventional wisdom.
Brynn, this is an important conversation for association leaders, and I'm delighted that you've put it front and center on Acronym. Thanks again!
Posted by: Jeff De Cagna | April 11, 2008 9:47 AM
Peggy--that's wonderful. What a simple (though maybe not so easy) way to encourage curiosity--just making people feel comfortable asking questions. I love the idea of being able to say "what if" with my colleagues and then seeing where it goes.
Jeff--you're right to point out that our test-driven educational system often stifles curiosity rather than nurture it. In my experience it's hit or miss whether kids land in a situation where they really have the freedom to be curious. Do you think a curious nature is something we're all born with or is it something we develop through our formal or informal educations?
Posted by: Brynn Grumstrup Slate | April 11, 2008 10:03 PM
Brynn, thanks for your question. I do believe that our natural state at birth is one of intense curiosity and inherent creativity. Our parents, siblings and other caregivers show us the necessary boundaries around what we can and cannot do. These limits help keep us safe and socialize us to the world.
The problem is that as we get older, the process of building boundaries doesn't stop. Our educational system diminishes curiosity and kills creativity by narrowing the scope of our inquiry. Questions are signs of our ignorance rather than pathways to new learning. Invention gives way to rote memorization and regurgitation. By the time we are "all grown up," most of have a deeply proscribed view of life, and being curious and creative people seems not only impossible, but irrelevant to "the real world."
I realize that I am painting a rather dismal picture, but it is clearly what has been going on for decades. As major adult educators, associations can play an important role in helping us reigniting the remaining embers of curiosity and creativity that still live within us. The time to begin moving on this process is now.
Posted by: Jeff De Cagna | April 11, 2008 10:32 PM
One thing we have going in our favor is that the Internet enables curiosity. i can search and fins more things in a shorter period of time than ever before. The things kids are doing in grade schools is more adventurous than many of my projects in junior high and beyond. I don't think hope is lost yet despite the rigidity of formalized education.
Posted by: Jeffrey Cufaude | April 12, 2008 2:48 PM