How (and why) to train your brain to be more curious at work

Your brain loves certainty. So, it may be more challenging to stay curious during times of stress or upheaval.

If you are in a state of uncertainty, it is helpful to move into a self-management approach with two key questions:

• What can I control or influence?
• What is not in my control or influence?

The insight is that we control far less than we think and influence far more than we realise. When you stop trying to manage what you can't change, your anxiety will lessen, leaving more space for curiosity.

In some cases, such as facing a collective problem or shared interest, you may be more curious when in a group.

A group is curious when they face the same kind of problem or question. It creates a space for thinking in new ways.

Curiosity can be contagious under the right conditions.

For example, when dancers make a mistake, instead of saying, "That's not the right way to do it," they would say, "that was interesting." Then they take a moment to play with it.

When you're in the middle of asking questions to satisfy your curiosity, you may be tempted to give advice instead of finding out why someone is asking. 

When you engage with team members, instead of giving answers, ask, "what's the real challenge here for you?"

You can become more curious over time if you make a habit of exploring new subjects.

You will become interested in other related things, understanding there's a relationship between what you know and could know.