Curiosity: The Lifeblood of the Tech World

At Two Barrels, we don’t pretend to have all the answers, but we do know how to go looking for them. In a world where tech evolves faster than your phone’s OS updates, the ability to stay curious is essential. We’ve seen what happens to companies that rest on their laurels, and we’re not interested in letting that be our story. The most groundbreaking advancements, from the World Wide Web to the rise of AI, happened because people asked “what if?” instead of sticking to the status quo. That’s why we’ve built a culture where curiosity isn’t a side hustle, it’s baked into how we work, learn, and grow together. From making space to experiment, to welcoming questions (yes, even the awkward ones), to resisting the trap of “know-it-all” culture, we believe a curious team is a future-ready team.

Curiosity = staying relevant

Here at Two Barrels, we know tech doesn’t wait around for anyone. Just ask Kodak—the company that literally invented the digital camera and then politely declined to ride the wave it created. Or Borders, who turned down the chance to sell Kindles in-store because they figured e-books were probably just a passing trend (RIP!). In this industry, things move fast, and staying curious isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s how you survive. We’re big believers in asking “How does that work?” and then rolling up our sleeves to find out. Whether it’s the latest AI breakthrough or an emerging marketing tool that’s gaining traction, we stay on top of it to stay ahead. Because the second you decide you’ve seen it all, the industry changes, and you’re the cautionary tale in someone else’s blog post. Curiosity keeps us experimenting, learning, and just a little uncomfortable in the best possible way.

The dangers of “know-it-all” culture

If you’ve ever been part of a “know-it-all” culture, you know that it might look like confidence, but it’s usually just insecurity with a louder voice. And that comes at a cost. When curiosity is replaced with posturing, teams tend to stop asking questions, and they ultimately stop learning. That stagnation can be crippling in the tech world, where the landscape and expectations shift daily. This shallow kind of confidence can also undermine collaboration. If admitting that you don’t know something is thought of as a weakness, people will stay quiet. They don’t speak up when they’re stuck, they don’t challenge the status quo, and they definitely don’t take risks. And in the worst cases, a “know-it-all” culture leads to more mistakes. If people don’t feel good saying “I don’t get this” or “I don’t know,” small issues fall through the cracks. Small gaps in understanding become annoying bugs and lead to delayed launches or missed opportunities.

How to foster curiosity

We believe curiosity isn’t just something you have, it’s something you cultivate. Like any good crop (or weird houseplant), it needs the right conditions: sunlight, space, a little trial-and-error, and the occasional spilled coffee. Whether you’re a seasoned pro with a dozen acronyms in your title or a newcomer still figuring out what “API” stands for, we all benefit from an environment that fuels exploration. Here’s how we try to build that environment, day in and day out.

1. Create space for tinkering

Some of the best ideas aren’t on the roadmap, and that’s kind of the point. When we give people time to tinker, experiment, and poke at problems from new angles, magic happens. Teams at Two Barrels are encouraged to explore new tools, pick up unfamiliar skills, and take the scenic route through tough challenges. It’s not wasted time. It’s where the seeds of innovation get planted. Giving people room to play shows we trust their instincts and value their curiosity. It’s how we stay future-facing, even when the future is fuzzy.

2. Encourage people to “fail fast”

One concept we really emphasize here is “failing fast.” That means trying out new ideas on the fly, even if they’re unconventional, even if you’re not sure they’ll work. We’d rather see ten scrappy ideas we toss out than one “perfect” idea that took six months to surface. The sooner we try the wrong thing, the sooner we learn something new. And the sooner we learn, the better our next attempt gets. Talking through what doesn’t work is usually how we stumble onto what actually will.

3. Embrace questions

We love questions. All of them. The weird ones, the obvious ones, the ones that make you say, “Should I already know this?” Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s how breakthroughs happen. We keep the channels open at Two Barrels, with frequent meetings where people can air out blockers, share discoveries, and untangle the things that don’t quite make sense yet. If people aren’t asking questions, they’re probably not taking the kind of smart risks that lead to big results.

4. Celebrate the messy middle

Everyone loves a shiny final product. But the truth is, innovation is born in the mess. The sketch that didn’t work. The idea that went sideways. The half-built thing that turned into the thing. At Two Barrels, we believe in embracing the messy middle: the place where creativity actually lives. We celebrate early ideas, not just polished ones, because sometimes the rough drafts are where the brilliance hides. Our regular team check-ins give space to share what’s in-progress, what’s stuck, and what might just be the next big idea… once it’s fully baked.

Big takeaways

We’re not looking for people who have it all figured out, we’re looking for people who want to figure things out. People who tinker and wonder and ask “why not?” The kind of folks who have too many tabs open and just can’t help but dig a little deeper. At Two Barrels, we’re building the kind of workplace where curiosity thrives because that’s where the best ideas live. When people feel safe to ask questions, take risks, and explore, amazing things happen. If that sounds like your kind of environment, well… you’re our kind of person. Come build with us.