How We Foster Curiosity at PopcornApps
How We Foster Curiosity at PopcornApps
Jan 28, 2022
At PopcornApps we acknowledge that the products we build require a curious mind behind them for the best outcomes. Our work culture fosters curiosity, boldness, and eagerness for this very reason. Know more about it.
Curiosity is the sign of a hungry mind. It is the force behind innovation. Every object which we take for granted today like, fire, the wheel, a sticking tape, or chair once never existed! They are all products of a curious mind looking for solutions. Today we see high-tech inventions in areas such as AI, space technology, and robotics with applications that influence daily life. A curious mind can try to bring simple solutions to complex issues.
At PopcornApps we acknowledge that the products we build require a curious mind behind them for the best outcomes. We have experienced that curiosity and questions will take us further than only confidence and answers. Our work culture is fostered around curiosity, boldness, and eagerness for this very reason. It helps all of us to adapt to market conditions and think creatively for appropriate solutions for every application we build.
A culture of curiosity
PopcornApps has consistently promoted creativity as an essential aspect of its culture, through formal and informal activities and practices. Starting from the recruitment and onboarding process, we have a focus on curiosity as a necessary behavior in our employees. Often employees have curiosity about issues or products but do not voice it fearing disapproval. This results in loss of ideation and opportunity to discuss an issue that could have been critical to the project or result in a solution. At PopcornApps, we encourage this habit so that employees feel secure and free to express their thoughts and opinions. We enable the platforms and resources through project activities and client meetings where our employees can be confident and curious through questioning about the application being built and the best solutions which can be arrived at. Curiosity is contagious and perspectives play an important role in harnessing innovation from curiosity. We encourage people with different viewpoints to interact and collaborate, resulting in multiple perspectives, creating new paths of thinking processes. The by-product of this is engagement and bonding, making it fun for employees to turn up at work every day! .
Brainstorming and open questions
Brainstorming is the best place to vent your curiosity to get answers and other viewpoints to your questioning. Our project teams and customer servicing employees carry out whiteboarding activities that involve intense brainstorming sessions. By asking open questions like “Is it better if we...?” “What would happen if we don’t…?” “Can the customer use this for...?” They arrive at ideas and solutions which are efficient and creative. Curiosity keeps the individual and team moving to new areas of thought, creating various options for the team. Our project leads and team managers create opportunities for such sessions even initiating a thought process through questioning. It is a journey which once started by a single person, everyone can contribute and add to the possible creative outcome. Our managers look for the ‘hook’ which catches individuals' curiosity in project assignments or for learning, to advance knowledge on any required topic. This gives guidance to curiosity and enables job satisfaction and engagement at the workplace!
Active listening
Being curious is a gift but listening actively to viewpoints and contrary thoughts is a skill. At PopcornApps our managers are a model for active listening which they practice with teams and customers every day. They work towards coaching the team members on this necessary skill, which is an integral part of communication. The inputs which come from questioning have to be listened to raptly with understanding, the process then moves to the next level of clarifying with further questions. Active listening can be done only when one listens without interrupting, takes notes for clarity, and projects interest in what is being said through body language. With constant practice, this skill can be mastered and can be a great asset to the curious mind. The curious mind tends to be impatient and has to be trained to participate in active listening.
Team collaboration
The culture of curiosity at PopcornApps focuses on team collaboration for effective results. Our team-building training and fun at work activities foster collaboration, building networks within and among teams. Employees understand their strengths, capabilities, and weaknesses and work towards building capacity to complement each other’s strengths. Curiosity works effectively in collaborative teams to give bigger ideas and better solutions.
Celebrating curiosity
At PopcornApps we do not shy away from celebrating the wins, however small, resulting in effective solutions coming from curiosity. All customer delight and invaluable solutions coming from the ability to think differently is a win for any organization. Winning builds momentum for further achievements.
PopcornApps is an organization that takes curiosity seriously and gives the employees the credit for innovation and creativity driven by curiosity. This gives them a sense of belonging and the desire to explore new ideas bravely. Additionally, it keeps the morale and engagement of our employees high.
Curiosity is a spark necessary in every innovation-based organization. The key to effectively employing curiosity is to identify clearly what is inhibiting the same. Fear of asking a question, assumptions of facing ridicule from teammates, or disapproval of the seniors are the most common inhibitors. Our organization’s curiosity culture is practiced top to down, where there is the complete buy-in of the leadership who indulge and engage in it. This helps our employees focus on client satisfaction, excelling at their jobs, and learning.
To experience a workplace you enjoy working at, which satisfies your curious behavior on technology and application processes, explore being a part of PopcornApps, and let your career take a new growth trajectory.
