In the charity and not-for-profit sectors, addressing health and social inequalities often requires more than traditional solutions. The concept of professional curiosity—the practice of exploring and questioning beyond the obvious—has proven invaluable for these organisations.
By creating space for an environment where leaders and staff are encouraged to investigate deeper into the causes of inequality, they are better equipped to deliver lasting change. But what is professional curiosity, and how can it help charities tackle deeply rooted societal issues?
Curious about Professional Curiosity
At its core, professional curiosity is the drive to ask thoughtful, probing questions and consider perspectives that might otherwise go unnoticed. Rather than accepting information at face value, individuals with professional curiosity are motivated to seek out underlying causes and challenge assumptions. In the charity sector, this approach can help organisations better understand the nuanced needs of the communities they serve.
For instance, professional curiosity might lead a charity supporting homeless people to look beyond immediate shelter needs, exploring how factors like mental health, addiction, or historical trauma contribute to long-term homelessness. This ability to question assumptions and probe further enables the charity to design interventions that address these root causes, creating more effective and sustainable outcomes.
As Sir Michael Marmot highlighted in his influential report on health inequalities, “tackling the wider social determinants of health” is critical to reducing inequalities across society (Marmot, 2010). When charity professionals apply curiosity to their decision-making, they are better positioned to confront these broader social determinants—such as housing, education, and employment disparities—that impact the individuals they serve.
Improving Leadership and Decision-Making
Effective leadership in the charity sector hinges on making informed, strategic decisions. Leaders who cultivate a culture of professional curiosity within their organisations foster environments where employees are encouraged to ask questions, offer new ideas, and identify overlooked opportunities. According to a report by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), leaders who show curiosity are more likely to be adaptive, innovative, and able to respond to challenges with agility (DOI: 10.1002/9781118894458).
This culture of curiosity directly benefits decision-making processes. When leaders are inquisitive, they avoid one-size-fits-all approaches, opting instead for solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of their service users. Research published in the Journal of Applied Behavioural Science suggests that inquisitive leadership styles lead to higher employee engagement and more effective organisational outcomes (DOI: 10.1177/0021886319893457).
For charities dealing with complex social issues, such as poverty or mental health, this kind of dynamic decision-making is crucial. Rather than reacting to symptoms, leaders can develop a more holistic understanding of the issues at hand, resulting in targeted interventions that have a greater chance of success.
Building a Strong Organisational Culture
One of the greatest benefits of professional curiosity in the charity sector is the way it fosters a learning-oriented organisational culture. When professional curiosity is embedded into the daily operations of a charity, it encourages continuous improvement and adaptation. Staff become more aware of emerging challenges, and organisations are better positioned to respond to changes in policy or shifts in public needs.
A culture of curiosity also has a direct impact on employee motivation and retention. Staff who feel encouraged to ask questions, challenge the status quo, and bring new ideas to the table are more likely to feel engaged and invested in their work. A report from the CIPD on workplace engagement highlights that employees who feel intellectually stimulated are more likely to stay with their organisation, reducing turnover and fostering a more committed workforce (CIPD, 2022). In a sector where resources are often limited, retaining passionate and skilled employees is key to sustaining high-impact work.
Moreover, when curiosity is prioritised, organisations are better equipped to take an evidence-based approach to their work. By regularly questioning their own methods and outcomes, they can refine their strategies and ensure that they are implementing the most effective practices. In turn, this enhances both the quality of services provided and the long-term impact on the communities they serve.
Behavioural Science: A Tool to Boost Curiosity
Behavioural science offers valuable insights into how professional curiosity can be harnessed within organisations to improve outcomes. According to behavioural science research, curiosity is a behaviour that can be nurtured through specific organisational practices, such as promoting psychological safety, encouraging open communication, and creating opportunities for staff to engage in creative problem-solving (DOI: 10.1037/bul0000125).
For example, when employees feel safe to voice concerns or raise difficult questions without fear of reprimand, they are more likely to engage in the kind of critical thinking that professional curiosity demands. Leaders can encourage this by rewarding inquisitiveness, celebrating diverse perspectives, and fostering an open-door policy that invites dialogue.
Another behavioural science insight is the idea of “choice architecture,” which suggests that the way decisions are framed can impact the level of curiosity applied. Leaders can design decision-making processes that encourage deeper inquiry by framing questions in ways that require staff to consider alternative viewpoints or explore long-term consequences. This approach leads to more thorough, curiosity-driven outcomes, enhancing both individual and organisational performance.
Addressing Health and Social Inequalities with Curiosity
The UK charity sector plays a vital role in tackling health and social inequalities, from homelessness and food insecurity to mental health and disability support. However, these issues are rarely straightforward, and without a deep understanding of the root causes, interventions may only provide temporary relief. Professional curiosity allows charity workers to look beyond surface-level symptoms and identify the complex web of factors contributing to inequality.
A prime example can be found in the work of Crisis, a UK charity dedicated to ending homelessness. Their approach is guided by a deep understanding of the social determinants of homelessness, such as employment, education, and health services. Through curiosity-driven interventions, Crisis designs services that address not only immediate needs but also long-term solutions, such as helping individuals into stable housing and employment. This multi-faceted approach ensures that their work contributes to breaking the cycle of homelessness, rather than simply managing its symptoms.
In a similar vein, Mind, a leading mental health charity, has embraced professional curiosity to explore the diverse experiences of mental health challenges across different demographics. Their campaigns focus on how mental health intersects with race, class, and gender, encouraging deeper investigation into how social inequalities impact mental well-being. This approach has led to more inclusive and targeted services that better serve those at the margins of society.
The Power of Curiosity for Lasting Change
In the charity sector, professional curiosity is not just a valuable tool—it is essential for creating lasting change. By fostering an organisational culture that values inquiry, exploration, and deeper understanding, charities can develop more effective solutions to tackle the root causes of health and social inequalities. This, in turn, leads to better outcomes for the individuals and communities they serve.
As behavioural science and academic research have shown, curiosity can be cultivated, leading to better leadership, decision-making, and employee engagement. By embedding curiosity into their operations, charities will not only improve their internal cultures but also enhance their ability to address the complex, interconnected challenges of inequality.
Professional curiosity should be seen as a critical asset for any organisation striving to make a meaningful impact on society.