INSIGHT
students can learn to help each other in order to achieve a common goal.
Off er challenging hands-on experiences T hese may include internships, consulting projects and simulations, enabling students to apply their knowledge in practical, real-world scenarios, allowing them to take the lead. These immersive opportunities not only provide a platform for students to apply their skills, but also foster curiosity by encouraging them to question, experiment and explore innovative solutions. It is crucial for educators to refrain from exerting excessive control or directing every aspect of the learning experience. When educators micromanage, students are less inclined to take independent initiatives and may miss out on the opportunity for their natural curiosity to flourish. Well- intentioned educators should be mindful not to inadvertently hinder the development of their students’ innate curiosity. Use virtual reality & encourage students to travel Both VR and travelling to new places can be powerful tools for embracing uncertainty and developing a sense of curiosity about the world. By exposing students to different cultures and ways of life, they can learn to approach society with an open mind. Ben Saunders, the youngest man to ski solo to the North Pole while dragging a 400-pound sledge more than 600 miles through Arctic conditions, told me that we learn by experiencing new things. Education must create opportunities where students directly experience their surroundings, embrace uncertainty and welcome the unknown. Hands-on experiments, inspiration-gathering trips and other adventures all fuel creativity; they lead to exciting discoveries and mobilise meaningful connections. When they work as a team, Biography Constantine ‘Costas’ Andriopoulos is professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at Bayes Business School (formerly known as Cass) at City University in London and author of Purposeful Curiosity: How Asking the Right Questions Will Change Your Life . At Bayes, he is the associate dean for MBA programmes and leads MSc, MBA and executive education courses, encouraging learners to find solutions to big problems and take journeys into the unknown by starting new ventures, or developing new products in large organisations. He also heads up Bayes X, one of the leading scholarly research centres focusing on disruptive innovation. In addition, Andriopoulos is the director of Avyssos Advisors, a management consultancy that helps organisations disrupt their chosen industries
Learn to shape a better world To truly harness the power of curiosity, we must learn to direct our inquisitive nature while embracing the unwavering inquisitiveness of our inner four-year-old selves. This entails maintaining an abundance of curiosity – a genuine interest in a subject for as long as it continues to offer new insights and inspiration. The management education sector has a unique opportunity to foster a movement centred around the power of purposeful curiosity. By incorporating curiosity-driven practices into their curriculum, schools can prepare students for the challenges of an ever-evolving business landscape. It is also crucial to shift our focus from an individualistic perspective to a collective one, from ‘I’ to ‘we’. By continually pushing the boundaries of knowledge, we can create positive impact on the world around us. However, it is understandable that some may view this change-the- world idealism with scepticism. Blaise Pascal, the renowned 17th-century French mathematician and philosopher, described curiosity as “mere vanity”, suggesting that our interest in knowing something is often driven by the desire to discuss it rather than genuine intellectual curiosity. Critics may argue that purposeful curiosity journeys resemble self-indulgent projects. However, while there may be an element of self-interest, each successful pursuit leaves behind a meaningful legacy. The motivation behind curiosity is not solely personal success, but also to create profound benefits for society. Purposeful curiosity journeys have the potential to make our world safer, healthier, happier, more innovative and more empathetic. By dedicating ourselves to these journeys, we contribute to the betterment of society, leaving a lasting impact on future generations. Polar expeditions, for instance, combine science and adventure; they serve as a laboratory for testing human dynamics. Scientists have used Antarctic explorations to test space suits, simulating conditions that can be encountered on Mars. Curiosity, in its very essence, propels progress, enabling us to surpass our own perceived limitations. Moreover, it is essential to actively disseminate the knowledge gained from such journeys. By mentoring others, supporting their own curiosity-driven quests and sharing our expertise with team members, we foster a collaborative environment of continuous learning and growth. As business schools embrace the power of purposeful curiosity, they will increasingly contribute not only to the personal and professional growth of individuals, but also to the collective progress of global business and society. By nurturing enquiring minds, business schools can pave the way for a curiosity revolution that reshapes industries, solves complex problems and creates a more inclusive, sustainable and prosperous future.
Ambition JULY/AUGUST 2023 | 39
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