The Box
Along with "Aha!" moments – those insights that punctuate hard work – you've probably heard the idea to "think outside the box." It
means to think from an unconventional or different perspective, assumed to be essential in creativity. It's a cliché these days.
I'll tell a story. Twenty years ago I worked in a laboratory facing a budget crunch. Our manager held an emergency meeting and explained our situation in grim terms. Unspoken was the elephant that payroll is easiest to cut. Instead of rallying morale with a creative vision, he told us to save money. Over the next few weeks many of us tried to invent ways to reduce costs and became frustrated. Eventually, the budget crisis passed.
This story has two lessons. One, although we knew that we needed to "think outside the box," it was impossible. We came up with lame ideas like cutting applicator sticks in half. Two, our manager simply wanted us to do more with less; we needed a tangible goal. Both inhibited creativity.
If you're on the bench in a similar bind, try this:
- Be positive. It sounds corny, but positive thinking is a great morale boost. This doesn't mean you need to like everything, but seeing a negative situation as an opportunity ("what can we do that's new?") can help.
- Be supportive. Management is not alone. If a manager asks for help, take it seriously and ask questions to make sure you understand what's needed ("what do we want to gain?").
- Be bold. If there's one thing "the box" is, it's constrictive. Once you make sure you know the issues, don't be afraid to make suggestions ("what if we tried this?"). One idea leads to another, and another.
If you think of "the box" as where you are now, "outside" is where you want to be. This may be more efficiency, happier customers, or a greater market share. To think "outside," you have to know where that is and what it looks like. After all, it's where you want to do your thinking from now on.