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The Business Case for Curiosity

By: Francesca Gino
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Abstract

Although leaders might say they value inquisitive minds, in reality most stifle curiosity, fearing it will increase risk and inefficiency. Harvard Business School’s Francesca Gino elaborates on the benefits of and common barriers to curiosity in the workplace and offers five strategies for bolstering it. Leaders should hire for curiosity, model inquisitiveness, emphasize learning goals, let workers explore and broaden their interests, and have “Why?” “What if…?” and How might we…?” days. Doing so will help their organizations adapt to uncertain market conditions and external pressures and boost the business’s success.

Keywords

Organizational Culture; Employees; Creativity; Cognition and Thinking; Learning; Decision Making; Performance Effectiveness

Citation

Gino, Francesca. "The Business Case for Curiosity." Harvard Business Review 96, no. 5 (September–October 2018): 48–57.
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About The Author

Francesca Gino

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets
→More Publications

More from the Author

    • March–April 2023
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    You Need Two Leadership Gears: Know When to Take Charge and When to Get Out of the Way

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    Authentic First Impressions Relate to Interpersonal, Social, and Entrepreneurial Success

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More from the Author
  • You Need Two Leadership Gears: Know When to Take Charge and When to Get Out of the Way By: Lindy Greer, Francesca Gino and Robert Sutton
  • Authentic First Impressions Relate to Interpersonal, Social, and Entrepreneurial Success By: David M. Markowitz, Maryam Kouchaki, Francesca Gino, Jeffrey T. Hancock and Ryan L. Boyd
  • Mellody Hobson at Ariel Investments By: Lakshmi Ramarajan and Francesca Gino
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