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I was recently speaking with one of my coaching clients and the subject of professional curiosity came up. Curiosity is a catalyst for creativity, problem-solving and continuous improvement. By creating a culture of curiosity, we can tap into the collective creativity of the people who work with us and for us. It stimulates critical thinking, encourages us to be open to possibilities and leads us to explore a deeper understanding of customers, markets and developments in our chosen vertical. Innovation is a natural byproduct of curiosity.
Barriers to curiosity
Fear of failure is one of the largest deterrents to developing curiosity in team members. If team members have been conditioned to believe that there will be negative consequences from trying something different, they will be less likely to seek alternatives. Business owners, especially second-generation owners, may have developed a risk-averse mentality created by the fear of sinking the family business.
Sometimes the rapid nature of our business can be a deterrent to creativity and innovation. Meeting customer deadlines and hitting performance goals may encourage associates to stick to what they know, rather than looking for new ways to solve problems. When teams fall into a routine, based on hitting certain goals and objectives, complacency tends to creep in. Business owners can also fall into this trap. The leader can also lose this creative spark, focusing on operational efficiencies rather than seeking new opportunities.
Inspiring curiosity
Business owners must lead by example. If the leader is constantly tinkering with the process, others will recognize this as a core value of the organization. Yes, several owners should add the title “Company Meddler” to their business card, but is that such a bad thing? Change can be exhausting, but it is infectious.
Inspiration doesn’t always come from within. Those leaders who encourage their employees to explore educational opportunities, such as workshops and conferences, are often rewarded with new ways of tackling distribution or supply chain challenges. Peer collaboration is one of the best ways to get unstuck.
Create a safe environment for challenging the status quo. Encourage employees to break down processes and question why we are doing things a certain way. Sometimes these new ideas aren’t going to work. Heck, many of these ideas will fail, but we should foster a culture that encourages learning from these missteps. As I look back on my life, the biggest growth opportunities came from getting my teeth kicked in a few times.
Rekindling curiosity
Business owners need to reflect on their journey. We all get bogged down in the present challenges and the machine that we have created. For those of you who have listened to my podcast (shameless plug), I always start an interview off by asking the guest to share their professional journey with the audience. How did you get here? This often leads to a reflection on the struggles and subsequent breakthroughs that brought them the success they now enjoy. This isn’t just a time filler. I find that reflecting on that journey will help the guest remember what was really important to them when they started their business or took over the reins from another. This is where passion resides, and I can often hear it in their voices. This reflection can be the spark that ignites their desire to be creative and innovative.
While personal reflection may be the spark, engagement with their industry is the fuel. Again, sometimes business owners get mired down in the day-to-day operations or short-term goals. When you are hyper-focused on your organization, you can become oblivious to the world around you. This is where I would encourage business owners to stay up to date with current industry trends, new concepts and emerging technologies. Take time to read trade publications (like the one you are currently reading) because this is where you find the gold. The folks who produce these publications spend countless hours curating industry information with the hope that their work will make your organization just a little bit better.
Seek fresh perspectives
Beyond the plethora of online and print-based information, business owners need to get out of the office and mingle with their peers. Many years ago, when I was a distributor, I used to love one particular segment of my industry trade show—the rap session. Essentially, this was where distributors, manufacturers and their representative agencies would sit at round tables to discuss some predetermined questions. I didn’t care if I was sitting with a competitor or a manufacturer we didn’t carry; I always walked away from that table with some nugget of wisdom. I was always baffled, and a bit disappointed, that these sessions were not better attended. One friend of mine used to say that the 90 minutes he spent in the rap session would pay for the cost of attending the show 10 times over.
It is really easy to fall into predictive patterns of thought and action. This is not uncommon both for business owners and business associates. The trick is to recognize when we are falling into a mode of professional complacency and find ways to steer out of the rut. Give yourself the space to be spontaneous and curious. When you find that spark, share it. Innovation and passion will soon follow. Stay curious, my friends, and know that I am always here to help.
Jason Bader is the principal of The Distribution Team. He is a holistic distribution advisor who is passionate about helping business owners solve challenges, generate wealth and achieve personal goals. Last year, he launched his first podcast, Distribution Talk. Episodes can be found at distributiontalk.com and most podcast applications. He can be reached at (503) 282-2333 or via email at jason@distributionteam.com. You can find additional resources on his website: TheDistributionTeam.com.