Lately, I have been wondering if that’s ok to be curious at work – and if it’s really OK then what is the extent of the curiosity that is acceptable and is considered positive instead of negative? The most interesting fact is, I myself, didn’t know that I was actually a curious person until I got on the road of “figuring out” to write this blog.

I have come across many interesting responses while collecting people’s opinion about it, but sadly, mostly people considered it as something negative and such responses made me more curious to find out what really is acceptable positively, especially in the realm of professional environment.

“Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why” – Bernard Baruch

I believe, curiosity is always there, whether we notice it or not – it’s present within us. Let’s suppose, take your example right now, it’s third paragraph of this article and you are still reading, why? Simply because you are curious to find out what it says next, right?

Now, there are three kinds of curious people around me, find out which one are you?

Questioning out and loud: This kind of people are little curious to gain knowledge; people who are not shy or afraid of asking questions to get into little depth of something. Such people look for answers to satisfy the treasure hunt that is going within their minds. But there should be a complete balance to avoid being too loud and too personal.

Quietly observant: Such kind is found everywhere. People who are only observing most of the time and do not ask anything, they rely upon their instincts and knowledge they have, to fit pieces together of a curious puzzle. They are mostly quite ones who only speak when necessary.

Minding other’s business: That’s the ultimate level of curiosity and is highly considered as negative one. This is the very reason why curiosity is considered as bad. These are people who are always looking for something to get their leg into, just for the sake of knowing every bit of something, especially personal stuff that others mostly like to keep to themselves only.  Such kind of people are labelled as annoying or disturbing, who simply cannot stay out of other people businesses.

Now, professional environment needs everything in complete balance, otherwise your professional reputation will be on stake. Here are some benefits of curiosity at work:

Digging new things: It’s always beneficial to expand your knowledge, those people are more successful who tend to have little know how about every possible thing, especially work related. Look around you to find out that one person whom you can discuss anything with, whether it’s about management, reporting, presentation etc. regardless of his area of expertise. Plus, who wouldn’t like to have all-rounder among themselves?

Explore opportunities: By asking for details, you at times, encounter with great opportunities that lie ahead. You won’t get to explore great venues and opportunities without getting into things a little.

Clarify your knowledge: It’s always good to ask necessary questions to clear the sky of your head from ambiguity clouds. Collecting pebbles of truth and facts will not only let you see the brighter side of the picture but also make you a positive person.

Become productive and efficient: Applying all that knowledge to your work will get you more speed up towards success by becoming productive, innovative, informative and skilled at whatever you attempt to do. Because curiosity makes passive mind an active mind by assigning it tasks to do.

Make new friends: Asking work relevant questions to your colleagues will help you initiate a conversation, and who knows, you might find someone with mutual interests as of yours.

But, biggest “don’t” of curiosity is to understand the difference between getting negatively curious and positively curious, make sure to see if the person is willing to answer your questions and is not getting offended. Asking personal question will drive people away from you, because people who want to share something with you, will share without asking. So, don’t indulge yourself in personal affairs of people around you.

Did I miss something?

Feel free to add your points below.