How can you foster curiosity and openness to new ideas for creative problem-solving?

Curiosity and openness are game-changers, both for me and my clients. They help us really get what our clients are going through and find creative ways to support them. These traits keep us flexible and strong, especially when things get unpredictable - which they do get!

Curiosity and openness are really important qualities to have, not just in your personal life, but also in your job. When you are curious, it means you have a strong desire to discover new things. Being open means that you are willing to consider different perspectives. These qualities are helpful, they allow you to understand others better. If you are curious about background, interests, and struggles, you can connect with them on a deeper level. And these qualities make you more adaptable and resilient. Life can be full of uncertainty and complexity, but when you are curious and open, you are better equipped to face these challenges with confidence. Overall, being curious can help you grow as a person and be successful in your career.

On a practical note, it is often extremely difficult to even foster this in the organisation. Most organisations have set practices and processes and are very reluctant to change unless there is sufficient evidence that the change will help. Creating a "learning" environment works well in organisations that deal use people to find solutions to problems. Environments like working with social causes, wellbeing, health, which are most often influenced by people provide for such opportunities to be creative. Organisations must also encourage their employees to speak their mind on issues, encourage "assertive" behaviour and foster a culture of openness.

How to act differently when you re stuck? Only your curiosity can lead you to discover alternative beliefs, behaviours, solutions. Curiosity in people ‘s experiences is a free goldmine for your imagination to start reflecting on out of the box approaches

We are all different and we all have our own models of the world. Often we put our own spin on another persons behaviour based on our model of the world. Curiosity helps to keep you out of judgment and allows you to get more information to assist the person where needed. By staying open and in curiosity it allows other possibilities other ways of doing things, other perspectives to come into play.

To grow your curiosity, start with believing you can always learn and get better. Be okay with not having all the answers. Read all sorts of things – it opens up new worlds and ideas. Ask questions that make you and others think deeper, not just yes or no stuff. And don't shy away from feedback or mistakes. They're your best teachers.

Encourage questioning: Create a safe space where asking questions is welcomed. For instance, at a workplace, initiate regular Q&A sessions or brainstorming meetings where every idea is respected. Promote learning: Encourage reading, attending workshops, or exploring new hobbies. For instance, Google's "20% time" policy allows employees to dedicate a portion of their work hours to personal projects, fostering exploration and learning.

Another way that I learned from a coach is to ask questions starting with "I am curious .... " whenever you are talking with someone. This is a great tool in coaching. One very good team activity is that a member starts with a random sentence e.g. "Once there was a king who ruled jungle..." and then the next team member continues with this story and adds some sentences. Thereafter the next team member continues. During this time everyone is curious about what will the final story look like and also enjoying this process.

To grow your curiosity, start with a morning affirmation which will facilitate curiosity. For instance, tell yourself “today I am going to ask more questions than give answers” or, “today I will take a new route when I walk my dog”. Just telling yourself that you will do something will help facilitate actually doing it, or at least, will make you more aware of your intention.

Cultivating curiosity involves keeping an open mind, believing that learning never stops, and feeling comfortable with uncertainties. To foster curiosity, read broadly on different subjects and perspectives. Ask questions that encourage exploration rather than seeking straightforward answers. Embrace mistakes as chances to learn by seeking feedback from clients, peers, and mentors. Reflect on their input to enhance your skills and strategies for future growth.

One exercise to cultivate openness, that I learned is to think about a problem you want to solve and tell yourself that you are open to brainstorming all sorts of ways to solve this - with a childlike curiosity. Take a notebook and pen, and then start writing down all the ideas that come to your mind without lifting the pen. Don't judge your ideas or yourself, and just enjoy the process. You don't have to accept any idea, just keep writing. This will open your mind to new ideas.

Being more open, it's about saying 'yes' to new ideas, experiences, and viewpoints. First step? Tackle your own biases and fears. Mix it up with people different from you – different backgrounds, beliefs, and life stories. Really listen and value their perspectives. Don't be afraid to try new things, just for the fun of it, without worrying about what others think. Also, mindfulness helps a lot. It's about being in the now,

Embrace diversity: Actively seek diverse perspectives. This can be achieved by forming cross-functional teams or inviting guest speakers from different backgrounds to share their insights. Practice active listening: Encourage deep listening without interrupting or judging. This helps in understanding others' perspectives better and creates an open dialogue.

Openness happens when we understand that we can learn from every experience, situation and perspective. That by being open we can truly experience life to the fullest.

Well never think you are bigger than the room itself or those that are there.I myself is only there because we are all here to address what is needed. We are the parts that will make up the whole we are one of the other." We are the parts which makes the run.

Problem-solving is much easier when you drop perfectionism, and the pressure to get it 'right.' Instead, treat solution finding as an experiment, where you 'try on' an idea, or iterate towards a solution. This will relax you more and remove the pressure, which happily increases your creativity!

Curiosity and openness are super tools for solving problems. They help you see more options and get creative. Start by really understanding the problem – ask deep questions about it. Know your own assumptions and be ready to consider other views. Then, dive into different sources for ideas and inspiration. Brainstorm freely, try out various solutions, and don't rush to judge them. Collect feedback and data, and stay open as you weigh the pros and cons of each idea.

I learned a game called "Yes and" as part of a 6 -week training program on Positive Intelligence. According to the program EXPLORE is one of the 5 powers of our mind that enables us to find a gift in any situation. This game requires you to work on problems like a curious anthropologist would. Start with a problem, next state a solution. Then go on and add what you like about that solution and add a new idea. The purpose is to keep coming up with as many solutions as possible without any judgement of wrong or right. Ex: I am unable to speak with confidence. You can join a communication course. Yes, I like this idea because it will have a learning environment and I can also practice with my friends on a daily basis.

Divergent thinking: Encourage brainstorming sessions where no idea is considered too wild. This helps in generating a wide range of ideas without limitations. Seek alternative solutions: Challenge the status quo by exploring unconventional approaches. For instance, Design Thinking involves empathizing with users and generating multiple solutions before settling on one.

Using curiosity and openness for problem-solving involves stages. Firstly, define the problem, considering its impact and potential biases. Then, use curiosity to explore diverse information and brainstorm solutions without judgment. Collect feedback openly to assess ideas, and during implementation, stay curious to track progress. Celebrate successes, learn from failures, and remain adaptable.

Add curiosity to your coaching sessions by breaking the pattern. If you are taking in person sessions- maybe change the location. Shuffle the structure of the session somewhat. Maybe play a game or start the session with a small video clip. Basically, challenge the mind of the client, take their thoughts in a new direction.

Sometimes, for the physically able--which are most of my clients, getting them out on a short hike or walk can really open us both to creativity. And, since I mostly deal with folks in recovery, meeting them to walk to and fro the meeting can really open up some creativity. Thanks for talking about this... Mark Servatius, Recovery Coach

As a life coach, guiding others to embrace curiosity and openness involves leading by example. Show the value of learning and exploring by sharing your experiences, asking questions, and trying new things. Encourage their efforts, recognizing and praising their curiosity and openness while offering constructive feedback. Set challenges that prompt curiosity and encourage openness to help them grow. By nurturing these qualities, you'll not only enhance coaching skills but also support clients in achieving their goals.

I would start by asking insightful questions that encourage them to look at situations from multiple perspectives. Encourage them to embrace the unknown and view challenges as opportunities for growth, fostering a mindset that values learning over comfort. Provide exercises that push them out of their habitual thought patterns, like exploring new hobbies or considering alternative viewpoints in discussions. Reinforce this exploratory behaviour with positive feedback, highlighting how such an approach leads to personal and professional development.

Lead by example: Demonstrate curiosity and openness in your interactions. Encourage others to ask questions and value diverse opinions. Provide resources: Offer books, articles, or workshops that promote curiosity and open-mindedness.

Failure as a learning opportunity: Encourage a culture where failures are seen as opportunities to learn and grow rather than as setbacks. Create a supportive environment: Ensure that the workplace or the environment nurtures and rewards curiosity and open-mindedness. Feedback loops: Establish feedback mechanisms to continuously improve and refine ideas. This encourages iterative thinking and continuous improvement. By nurturing curiosity and openness, individuals and teams can unlock their full creative potential, leading to more innovative problem-solving approaches.

When brainstorming encourage fast paced wild ideas without judging merits until everyone has contributed. Stopping in the middle of the free flow will hinder the results. Just make it fun with good intent in the beginning THEN get more serious about plans and execution.

Un outil particulièrement utile pour générer de nouvelles idées créatives : le mindmapping. Placer au centre d’une grande feuille la problématique et y ajouter des idées sous forme de mots, d’idées. Sans chercher à les organiser ni à trouver une cohérence entre elles. Être le plus spontané possible pour libérer la créativité et bloquer le mental. Une fois ce travail réalisé, rebrancher le mental, et tisser des liens entre les différentes idées exposées. Et créer une nouvelle histoire sur la base de ce mindmapping. Déterminer des actions concrètes en lien avec la nouvelle histoire créée.

A lot of listening and exploring. Role modelling curiosity and openness is will encourage them to do so themselves, without fear.