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"Thinking out of the box" uses the right side of the brain or it is best known as creative thinking. Also, means thinking of a solution that is somehow outside of what you already know and do; coming up with something wholly new.
Thinking inside the box means accepting the status quo. In-the-box thinkers find it difficult to recognize the quality of an idea. An idea is an idea. A solution is a solution. In fact, they can be quite pigheaded when it comes to valuing an idea. They rarely invest time to turn a mediocre solution into a great solution.
In-the-box thinkers are skillful at killing ideas. They are masters of the creativity killer attitude such as "that'll never work" or "it's too risky." The best in-the-box thinkers are unaware that they drain the enthusiasm and passion of innovative thinkers while they kill their innovative ideas.
They also believe that every problem needs only one solution; therefore, finding more than one possible solution is a waste of time. They often say, "There is no time for creative solutions. We just need THE solution."
Even great creative people can become in-the-box thinkers when they stop trying. Apathy and indifference can turn an innovator into an in-the-box thinker.
The term "Outside the Box" Thinking came from solutions to the so-called "nine dot problem" – as we will illustrate below where there are three rows of three dots and the problem is to connect all the dots with just four lines. The solution lies in drawing a line that goes outside the imaginary "box" formed by those nine dots.
Fig 1. Join the dots (with just four lines)
TYPICAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT ILLUSTRATION: Draw nine spots, as in figure one. Now without lifting your pen from the paper, draw four straight lines which go through all the dots.
Fig 2. Did you think outside the box?
The answer is not to be limited by barriers which you have assumed are in place. No-one said your lines had to stay within the dots.
So start in the top left hand corner, draw a line to the top right hand corner, but keep on going.
Then draw a line diagonally back to the left hand side, taking in just two dots. Then go up to the top left again, and down diagonally the other way - Four lines, nine dots.
Consultants conduct many courses explaining what "out of the box thinking" actually is. But it is in fact no more than the concept of getting an idea.
RELATED WORDS: pushing the envelope, blue-sky thinking, creative brainstorming, outside the decision matrix (or boundaries). All of them mean getting an idea.
Thinking outside the box requires different attributes that include:
- Willingness to take new perspectives to day-to-day work.
- Openness to do different things and to do things differently.
- Focusing on the value of finding new ideas and acting on them.
- Striving to create value in new ways.
- Listening to others.
- Supporting and respecting others when they come up with new ideas.
Here are questions to ask to bring about "out of the box thinking". Apply them to any personal or work issue. These are in a general order and can be mixed and matched to create solutions.
What is the problem? Problem definition is the first step to finding a solution. If you can't articulate the problem, you cannot come up with a solution.
What are the conditions that create the problem? Do an honest and realistic situation analysis that describes where you are in the present.
Why are things (conditions) the way they are? You are looking for cause and effect relationships. If you understand the causes and effects you can create solutions.
What is the vision of the way things ought to be? What do you really want to achieve? Work on this one until you have it right. It is the key step from the problem to the solution.
Is the vision realistic? Winning the lottery is always an answer but not a real solution.
How can we do something about the way things are? Think beyond your current walls. Borrow from what you have seen in other places or people (Benchmarking).
How do I become "change-centered"? Learn to challenge the status quo, eliminate "not invented here" thinking, and embrace others' ideas as "possibilities awaiting the right time". Becoming "change-centered" can be taught.
Are we tolerating incompetence? If the problem rests with incompetence, try training. You may not be a trainer. Find a good trainer and have the employees trained in problem solving techniques. If training doesn't take then you may have to trade incompetence for competence.
Find abilities and then use them. Look outside of your normal circle for abilities not currently possessed. Abilities may come in the form of friends, consultants, other companies or even unrealized potential in you.
These are merely tools to cause you to think "outside of the box". Your ability to succeed is directly proportional to your ability to take action. Action is a step in any direction that will produce a result. Evaluate your result and then focus and redirect your action. Continue the process and you will succeed.
CALL FRS CONSULTANTS TODAY. WE WILL TRAIN YOU ON HOW TO THINK "OUTSIDE THE BOX."
We will be the last Management Consulting group you will ever need.
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