If you’ve ever spent time with a 4-year-old, you know that they are incredibly curious and ask a multitude of questions like, “Why do we do things this way?” “What does that mean?” “What are you doing?”
Their curiosity knows no bounds. As adults, we often lose this childlike curiosity and replace it with judgment instead. But it’s a quality that helps us build a strong foundation for understanding people and the world around us.
We can learn a lot from observing and embracing the curious nature of a 4-year-old. They appreciate perspectives and information. They foster an environment of growth, innovation, and empathy even at a young age.
The 4-year-old’s mind is a reminder that we all see situations and problems differently.
Think about a new hire. What do we often do? We judge them for seeking the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of the work. Leaders are known for two famous lines, ‘because I said so’ and ‘well, it’s the way it’s always been done’.
As a leader, we should be empowering our teams to channel their inner 4-year-old and never stop asking why. By encouraging this mindset, leaders can create a culture of open communication, respect, and mutual understanding. If the team doesn’t know why something is done a certain way, it is the leader’s responsibility to pause and share, rather than defaulting to the famous lines.
Choosing curiosity over judgment is a powerful way to grow your team and navigate the complexities of the workplace. So, let’s celebrate our inner 4-year-old and remember to always be curious, not judgmental.
A Team Human Conversation
Fight workplace zombies in your organization and join Team Human! Gather a group of fellow workplace zombie hunters to discuss our most recent blog post. Use the questions below to kick start your conversation.
How do we currently hinder our team's ability to channel their inner 4-year-old?
How can we enable our team to channel their inner 4-year-olds?
What can we do to implement a more curious approach in our culture?
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