I read the Harvard Business Review blog article "How Do Innovators Think?" with its focus on "inquisitiveness". A great attribute to have, indeed, and one that speaks to someone's curious nature. But as the authors discovered, inquisitiveness on its own doesn't always translate into action.

And without action, curiosity is just another nine-letter word that never moves anyone to innovate. The six-year study surveying 3,000 creative executives validated Professor Hal Gregersen's work of twenty years where he discovered that the big common denominator among global leaders was inquisitiveness. "It's the "same kind of inquisitiveness you see in small children".

Although the authors found that 15% of executives were deeply innovative (defined as someone who had invented a new product or started an innovative venture), these creative types were often careful about asking questions for fear of looking stupid or because their organizations wouldn't value it.

In fact, the authors report that by the age of 6½ students stop asking the provocative questions and in high school it comes to a full stop. By the time young adults join the workforce they have already had the "curiosity drummed out of them".

They're fearful of taking personal risks. But risk taking isn't always about taking the big, bold leaps into the unknown. In fact, most of the time it's the every day behaviors, such as asking questions when those around you might judge you for "not getting it" or when you just know that the direction your team, organization or customer plans to take is just plain wrong, and you step up to diplomatically challenge it.

In today's economic climate, professionals are being punished--directly and indirectly--for listening to their voices. When a company's focus is on short-term survival instead of long range innovation, adults soon realize just as they discovered in grade school that teachers value the right answers more than they value the curious nature.

Poof! There goes inquisitiveness. Instead, we have these great pools of talent sitting around silent at a time when we need people to speak the loudest.

Innovation is the only thing that will get us moving again in the right direction. But inquisitiveness on its own won't get us there if we don't follow-up with the right actions. But, first, let's give voice to the word that has the power to change how you think about yourself and the value of your contributions. It's called risk taking. Now, say it out loud.

© 2009 Dolores McCrorey, Risktaking for Success LLC. All Rights Reserved.