Building a curiosity kit for GSK managers
Turning managers into catalysts for innovation through curiosity
- client request
The client is planning a special event called "Curiosity Month". The main objective is to stimulate curiosity among learners and among the leaders of the company. The idea is to help them see curiosity as an essential skill in their daily professional practice rather than as a merely desirable quality. Curiosity also has to be seen as a business imperative and as personal added value.
To achieve these objectives, the client wants four separate multimedia kits created. These kits will serve as resources for managers to run interactive workshops. Each kit needs to include a PowerPoint presentation of about 30 minutes that managers can use to engage their team. Each kit also needs to contain a playlist of carefully selected videos, podcasts and articles. These resources will be made available to every participant so they can deepen their understanding and their practice of curiosity beyond the workshop.
- challenges
The "Curiosity Month" project is an ambitious initiative that needs careful planning, creative design and flawless execution to meet the needs and the expectations of the client. The challenges lie above all in the design of the kits and in the following:
- Encouraging curiosity and continuous learning. The kits have to be designed to stimulate curiosity and encourage continuous learning. They need to be engaging enough to hold attention and spark interest.
- Clarity and effectiveness. Providing clear and detailed facilitation guides so that managers can run the workshops effectively.
- Creating space for learning. Encouraging managers and teams to create space in their diary to explore new ideas, pick up new skills and broaden their knowledge.
- Encouraging new habits. The project also has to instil new learning habits, for individuals and for teams as a whole.
- stakes
Curiosity in business goes beyond an individual quality and has become a vital driver of innovation, employee engagement and long term success. The ability to question, explore and learn is now an essential strategic asset in a VUCA world.
Organisations that grow curiosity in their teams gain more effective problem solving and greater adaptability, and they also create a stimulating working climate that attracts and retains the most capable talent.
That makes curiosity a fundamental requirement for any company aiming for growth and long term durability, well beyond a bonus or an optional soft skill.
- solution
Stories of curiosity
Presentation: A history of the industrial empires born of curiosity.
Activity: Small group discussion on how curiosity has led to major innovations.
Guide: Detailed explanations for running each slide, with the key questions to ask.
My curiosity profile
Presentation: How curiosity can be applied in a professional setting.
Activity: Participants share their own "curiosity profile" with their team.
Guide: Instructions for facilitating the sharing and the discussion around the curiosity profiles.
Growing curiosity
Presentation: Techniques and strategies for growing curiosity within teams.
Activity: Collective intelligence sessions where participants exchange their experiences and their best practices.
Guide: Questions to ask to stimulate discussion and encourage sharing.
Embedding curiosity
Presentation: The importance of building curiosity into daily routines.
Activity: A personal commitment exercise to become more curious
Guide: Instructions for facilitating the exercise and encouraging participants to commit personally.
- results
The results of this curiosity initiative are varied and touch on different aspects of how the company works. With the multimedia kits and the support provided, managers can run effective workshops on why curiosity matters, and they can also offer simple and practical tools for building it into their working day.
Among the other results, the following are worth noting:
- Awareness and Education: The workshops raised awareness of the importance of curiosity as an essential skill and as a strategic asset for the company.
- Skills Development: Participants picked up concrete strategies for feeding their curiosity, which translates into better problem solving, greater adaptability and more innovation.
- Cultural Change: Curiosity is now part of the company culture. Managers are equipped to support and promote it as a collective value rather than as an individual trait.
- Employee Engagement: By creating a stimulating working climate that values curiosity, the company is in a better position to attract and retain high calibre talent.
In conclusion, this work on curiosity has the potential to change not only how individuals approach their work, but also how the company operates as an organisation.
TO ORGANISE A KEYNOTE, A WORKSHOP OR A MASTERCLASSÂ