The Inquiry Ecosystem: How Nature Inspires Curiosity at Work

By: Dr. Kristin Johnson

A group of college students supported the venture of baby snappy turtles into the near by lake

In a world where meetings often kick off with rapid-fire “check-in questions” and social interactions can feel performative, the simple act of genuinely checking in has lost some of its depth. Too often, we rush through moments that were meant to ground us—defaulting to prompts like “How’s everyone doing?” without leaving room for honest reflection or meaningful connection.

But nature doesn’t follow a script. And maybe we shouldn’t either.

🌀Slowing Down

In natural spaces, there are no status updates or polite filters. A fallen leaf doesn’t apologize. A gust of wind doesn’t wait its turn. The forest invites us to slow down, observe, and listen before we speak. It models a rhythm that’s reflective, not reactive—one that encourages thoughtful inquiry over quick conclusions. Reflective questions—open-ended prompts that invite curiosity—hold immense power in this setting. Asking “What do I notice?” or “What is truly happening right now?” activates the metacognitive processes that support emotional insight and deeper awareness. Environmental psychology tells us that natural environments offer “soft fascination”—a gentle form of attention that allows the mind to rest and reset (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989). This mental exhale creates ideal conditions for introspection. Meanwhile, neuroscience shows that time in nature lowers cortisol, boosts emotional regulation, and activates brain networks tied to empathy and self-reflection (Bratman et al., 2015; Tang et al., 2015). Nature doesn’t just invite us to listen—it prepares us to do so with more presence and care. When paired with intentional questioning, it opens the door to richer insight and meaningful connection—with ourselves and those around us.

🌱Grounded in Reflection at Genesee Valley

At Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center, we begin with questions—not for answers, but for awareness. Participants are invited to pause and consider: What do you hope to get out of today? What are you noticing around you? What might you need to be fully present? These aren’t checklist questions; they’re invitations. By intentionally stepping away from phones, screens, and the background noise of everyday life, we create space to truly arrive in the moment. This practice centers curiosity over performance, and presence over productivity. Reflective inquiry like this supports metacognition (Flavell, 1979), emotional regulation (Gross, 2002), and psychological safety (Edmondson, 1999)—all essential for learning, growth, and connection. And when these questions are asked in nature—where attention naturally deepens and stress eases (Berman, Jonides, & Kaplan, 2008)—they tend to yield more authentic, introspective responses. The goal isn’t to impress or perform, but to reflect, reset, and reconnect.

🌳 Bridging the Gap Between Nature and the Workplace

Asking good questions isn’t just a reflective tool—it’s a leadership skill with real impact. Research shows that open-ended, thoughtful questions foster psychological safety and engagement, which are essential for high-performing teams (Edmondson, 1999). Yet too often, check-ins become routine status updates, missing the opportunity to build trust or uncover what people genuinely need.

Nature offers a different model—one that invites observation, presence, and curiosity. Studies show that time in natural environments reduces stress and supports emotional regulation, making it easier to access deeper insights and listen with empathy (Berman, Jonides, & Kaplan, 2008). When we practice asking reflective questions like “What’s exciting you right now?” or “What current challenges are you facing?” we strengthen self-awareness and perspective-taking.

Bringing this questioning mindset into the workplace shifts conversations from transactional to meaningful, deepens connection, and opens space for innovation and problem-solving. Good questions don’t just stay in the woods—they transform teams and unlock potential wherever people gather.

Stay connected for more in this series as we explore the powerful connection between nature and the development of executive functioning skills.

Sources

Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207–1212. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x

Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567–8572. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1510459112

Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383. https://doi.org/10.2307/2666999

Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive–developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34(10), 906–911. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.34.10.906

Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved April 12, 2025, from https://www.geneseevalley.org

Gross, J. J. (2002). Emotion regulation: Affective, cognitive, and social consequences. Psychophysiology, 39(3), 281–291. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0048577201393198

Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. Cambridge University Press.

Tang, Y.-Y., Hölzel, B. K., & Posner, M. I. (2015). The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16(4), 213–225. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3916