Be curious like a raven

My mother once told me a story of a time when I was six years old.

Somebody in the house was running a bath and I walked in. I stared at the water for a while before returning to my mum, eager to share my new discovery:

Isn’t it amazing how the water and the bath are exactly the same shape!

A scientist in the making.

Welcome to Animal Instincts, where we discover wisdom in the natural world and apply it to work, rest, leadership, and daily life.

Ravens are famously curious, and some believe that curiosity is tied to their remarkable intelligence. Ravens have been described as active explorers, creatures that investigate unfamiliar objects, animals, and situations rather than avoiding them.

Apart from being a budding scientist, I was also a terrible daydreamer. I say ‘terrible’ because in my school days (back in the 70s), an inattentive child was one that needed to be brought back on track.

Usually in an unpleasant way!

But times have changed and modern-day research views some forms of daydreaming as a type of positive mental exploration. Discovery. Being curious about what you see and hear.

Daydreaming can produce thoughts and possibilities about the future.

I don’t know if the raven daydreams, but it is not afraid to pick up unfamiliar objects and play with them. They have even been observed trying different ways of solving a problem.

We have all read articles or scrolled through posts that encourage us to develop consistency in work and life. We know that weight loss usually only happens when healthy meals are eaten every day. And I know I will only be able to achieve that half-marathon if I exercise regularly. (Actually, if I exercise at all!)

And so on.

But consistency on its own may not give enough space for curiosity. Consistency taken too far might never allow enough time for creativity.

If you are anything like me, I sometimes feel guilty if I am not doing something ‘productive’ all the time. If I am not getting down to the tasks. I must be constantly working, getting things done.

I must be focused.

But perhaps, every now and then, we need to give ourselves permission to daydream. To step away from the factory line for a while and imagine other ways of doing things.

To experiment.

To daydream.

To be curious.

Here are 7 ways the raven teaches us to build curiosity into our lives.

1. Stay curious about your surroundings. Ravens are observant about what is happening around them. Curious people pay attention—and notice possibilities others miss.

2. Ask “What if?” Ravens are remarkable problem-solvers, often experimenting with new ways to achieve something. Curiosity begins when we are willing to imagine another possibility.

For example, if you are a team leader, ask: What if there were a better way to run this meeting? What if the problem isn’t the people—but the process?

3. Explore the unfamiliar. Ravens have been seen to investigate new objects and environments rather than simply ignoring them. Growth often begins when we step beyond what we already know.

4. Learn by experimenting. Ravens don’t always know the answer before they try something. Curious minds are willing to experiment, fail, adapt and try again.

If you are a leader, do you give people on your team permission to experiment and adapt?

5. Look at things differently. Ravens are known for their ability to use objects and situations in unexpected ways. Sometimes a fresh perspective reveals a solution hiding in plain sight.

6. Keep learning from experience. Ravens can remember people, places and experiences and adapt their behaviour accordingly. Curiosity turns experience into learning when we stop and ask, “What can this teach me?”

7. Never lose your sense of wonder. Ravens don’t simply survive by knowing what they already know—they keep investigating their world. A curious mind stays open, asks questions and remains willing to be surprised.

We all agree that productivity is an important goal; stuff needs to be done, and consistency will help us to get there.

But maybe curiosity has the power to create better ways of getting there

Productivity asks: What needs to get done?

Curiosity asks: What else might be possible?

……….

Stay curious. Keep growing.

Curiosity helps us see possibilities we might otherwise miss. But how well do you understand your own strengths, instincts and opportunities for growth?

Start by discovering more about yourself.

Take our free Animal Instincts Assessment to explore your strengths and identify areas you could develop.

Which Animal Instinct are you?

Want to keep exploring? Read more articles inspired by nature for practical ideas about curiosity, personal growth, leadership and wellbeing.

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Or, if you're ready to turn insight into action, explore our 21-day guided journals and discover how nature's wisdom can help you flourish in work and life.

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