Persons that long for knowledge and are eager to learn everything important everything there is to know in their profession are driven by curiosity.

The vigour for success is a great characteristic to have, and it won’t go unnoticed. Here are ways curiosity will get you ahead in the game:

It shows enthusiasm to learn

Joseline Tona, a business manager in Kigali, says that showing keenness to learn is an indication that someone is serious about their career. This, however, can be possible through research, attending professional seminars, and having the ability to ask in case they need more light on something.

Provides opportunity to try out something new

Tona explains that there is no harm in going the extra mile, or getting out of one’s shell, for instance, by focusing on fresh ways to gain skills and understanding.

"The world is looking for people that bring something new and unique that can assist the company in evolving. A day spent without anything new learned is as good as a wasted one,” Tona says.

Helps you stay informed

Tona also says that one should continue to gain new information and advance in awareness of a diversity of topics.

"For example, be informed on the latest news and trends as this allows you to engage in conversations and widen working connections. That’s how people can go a step further for greater opportunities. No one wants to work with someone who is not informed,” she says.

Helps establish new ways to test yourself

Tona adds that challenging oneself can push you further, as it is a means to discover strengths and weaknesses concerning character, work, and so forth.

She notes that this assists in discovering abilities and potential, and also contributes to identifying personal and professional goals, establishing priorities, motivation and expanding the mind.

Why is curiosity a key feature for employees?

 Curiosity creates problem-solvers. According to Harvard Business Review, people with higher cultural intelligence are more tolerant of ambiguity. ‘The unknown’ does not frighten them. Therefore, they are not alarmed when faced with a problem or unsolved issue.

Such have the desire for answers

If a curious person comes across a problem, it brings up multiple questions, such as; "What caused the problem?” and "How can I fix it?” A position that involves intense problem-solving.

Curiosity generates happiness amongst employees

Putting curiosity at the core of an organisation helps boost employees’ wellbeing. Research shows that 85 per cent in "curious” companies said they were happy at work compared to just 45 per cent in the ‘non-curious’ organisations.

Curiosity supports employee learning and development

Research shows that being curious improves one’s ability to learn and retain information. A sense of intrigue primes the brain for learning because it signals that something important is about to happen — something worth remembering. Therefore, one’s mind gets fired up to log whatever vital, previously unknown, information comes next.

Curiosity improves innovation

"Our minds are taken in a completely different, creative direction by asking a few random questions. We ought to hearten the opportunities for creative thought and expression within the workforce, to keep invention levels high,” Tona says.

It assists in the growth of the mind-set

Curiosity has been linked to growth-oriented behaviours, such as, overcoming obstacles, achieving goals, and choosing activities that offer and develop skills.

Such behaviours require effort and intention, leading to a larger scale shift from individuals simply trying to prove themselves at work, to individuals embracing a growth mind-set by focusing on continually improving themselves.