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You’re likely aware of the recommended facets of company culture like inclusion, recognition and respect. However, three equally important elements – curiosity, a solutions-oriented approach and challenging the status quo – are often overlooked.

All three of these components play a crucial role in engaging and motivating employees, which are among the most critical benefits of a positive workplace culture. Without them, your culture has weak areas that could adversely affect the foundation you have worked so hard to build.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH A CURIOUS MINDSET

Curiosity is an excellent trait to have because it leads to exploration and discovery. This is especially true for employees who take a genuine interest in their work. Instead of doing the bare minimum to get by and blindly following instructions, these people dive deep to analyze the project at hand from every angle.

Curiosity drives these employees to ask themselves how they can make an even greater positive impact on the assignment which often leads to outcomes that are far better than expected. In addition, workers who feel a sense of curiosity are engaged with their job and they feel like they can make a real difference in it.

How to Encourage Curiosity

It all hinges on what leadership reflects back to employees. Starting from the top down, leaders must develop curiosity about their employees. Regardless of the type of organization, every business is a representation of the values, attitudes and mindsets of the people who work for it.

Leaders should make a concerted effort to learn what motivates employees and identify the professional values and principles they hold dear. By figuring out what sparks the fire within their people, leaders are better able to create a culture that keeps the flames burning for years.

One excellent way to do this is by speaking directly to them. Take the time to get to know your workforce beyond the occasional pleasantries, instructions or formal meetings. Offsite meetings that focus on team building are a highly effective way to interact with employees in a less formal setting with fewer distractions.

Another way to encourage curiosity is by inviting internal subject matter experts to share their unique insights at special events designed for them.  Their specialized knowledge can be crucial in addressing complex challenges and sparking innovative solutions especially with senior leadership.

It’s also important for leadership to remain tapped into the way the company culture evolves over time. Is it expanding and becoming better or is it mired in unhealthy attitudes and behaviors? Being open to change also includes embracing industry changes. Regardless of how scary or threatening they might seem at first glance, shifts in your industry are an opportunity for reinvention and improvement. Your people will pick up on leadership’s can-do outlook on change and feel more capable of meeting change head-on themselves.

DISCOVERING BETTER ANSWERS BY TAKING A SOLUTIONS-ORIENTED APPROACH

While there is no such thing as a dumb question, your employees will feel empowered if they know that leadership trusts them to come up with answers and viable solutions on their own. And by taking some of the burden off leadership, fostering a solutions-oriented approach gives leaders more time to properly manage and support their team.

How to Encourage a Solutions-Oriented Approach

Managers should actively engage with employees to collaboratively develop solutions by guiding them through each step of the process. Here are some examples of how to achieve this:

  • Asking them, “How would you solve this problem?”
  • Making statements such as, “Your insight would be valuable to solving this issue. I would love to hear your thoughts on it.”
  • Inquiring if they have encountered this type of issue in the past, how they approached it, and what might be applicable to the current situation.
  • Supporting and participating in brainstorming sessions where employees can share their ideas freely.
  • Facilitating workshops or training sessions that focus on developing problem-solving skills.
  • Recognizing and praising successful solutions, and asking how those approaches might be adapted for future problem-solving efforts.

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE BY CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO

Many people fear retribution or disapproval if they disagree with the usual way of doing things or have a conflicting perspective with a supervisor or other leader. This is unfortunate, because by pushing the envelope, workers can discover and help incorporate new and better practices. Without challenges made to the status quo occasionally, your organization could become stale in certain areas and begin to lag behind your competitors.

Plus, when employees see that they will not suffer retribution or disapproval by making their voice heard, they feel more confident and like they are a valued member of the team.

How to Encourage Status Quo Challenging

Every single leader at your company should encourage open discourse among employees as long as it is done in a respectful manner. Actions should then follow words. This happens by receiving constructive feedback in a calm, rational and appreciative way. The final step is incorporating any feedback that shows real potential to be beneficial to the organization. By following all the way through, you demonstrate to your people that not only is challenging the status quo something they should not fear, but that it could realistically become a part of the company’s future operations. This ability to make a difference is meaningful to many people and they will remember it for a long time.

PRO TIP:  Implement a recognition program that celebrates not only the most insightful feedback but also highlights contributions that challenge existing norms and lead to significant transformative changes.​ Rewarding innovative thinking encourages employees to engage deeply with their work and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

A WELL-ROUNDED CULTURE FOR MORE ENGAGED EMPLOYEES

Your employees are the force that sustains your business and drives it forward. When you provide a welcoming and non-intimidating environment that encourages them to contribute and expand their horizons, they will respond in ways that will position your organization for long term success.

 

Travel incentives are a powerful way to motivate employees, improve morale and keep your people engaged in company objectives. Contact Gavel International to learn more about how these incentives can benefit your workplace culture.

Eloisa Mendez
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