When you look up the definition of wonder, there are a couple meanings.
Wonder is a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration or awe.
Wonder is also a desire to be curious or know something.
This second definition creates the drive behind intellectual exploration.
“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.”
– Neil Armstrong”
In her book ‘The Power of Wonder: The Extraordinary Emotion That Will Change the Way You Live, Learn, and Lead’, Monica C. Parker defines five elements of wonder:
Watch: Observe the world and be present and open to seeing things in unfamiliar ways.
Wander: Engage with the world and always explore, search, discover, and question.
Whittle: This is where you absorb and pare down what you have seen and discovered.
Wow: We are challenged by something, and our mind struggles to make sense of it.
Whoa: This is the moment of the “a ha” and the experience changes our perspective.
My Perspective
I believe this is the science side of something that is often described as an emotion.
A clear formula to nudge our ability for intellectual exploration.
When I think about the challenges in front of companies today, wonder is what is needed.
The challenges we face in the world have no clear answers, wonder could be the key to discovery.
In our personal lives, wonder may have the power to unlock our wellbeing.
Your Turn
Have you heard of the five elements of wonder?
Do you see areas of your life where you could apply this framework?
How might you use this insight to create more curiosity and innovation at work?