Outside the Box

Tired of the same old solutions? Feeling stuck in a rut? We've all heard the call to "think outside the box" when teams face tough problems or seek fresh ideas. But achieving that breakthrough consistently? That's the real challenge. Throughout my career, I've been repeatedly tasked with finding novel approaches to organizational hurdles, discovering new revenue streams, and contributing to lasting community solutions. My go-to response when asked to help an organization "think outside the box"? The instructions are on the outside of the box. Essentially, true innovation comes when individuals and teams connect with and learn from those outside their immediate circle.

This week, let's dive into how leaders can truly think differently. First, we need to understand our own "box"—the invisible barriers that limit our impact, abilities, and networks. This box is shaped by our personalities, past experiences, and current environment. It shifts and changes depending on the situation and the people around us, yet it's always there. Interestingly, our boxes have "holes" that allow us to interact with the world through our senses. The size and number of these holes, and our ability to engage through them, vary depending on our skills and experiences. Another feature inside our boxes is that there are many "mirrors." They often distort our perception of the world and our understanding of problems, organizations, and communities. Ultimately, our box serves a purpose: protection, safety, and comfort. As leaders, our challenge is to leverage the benefits of our boxes while minimizing their limitations, both for ourselves and our teams.

Step 1: Unlock Your Potential by Understanding Your Box

Ever feel confined by limitations you can't quite name? The first step to truly innovative thinking is understanding your "box"—those invisible boundaries shaped by your personality, experiences, and environment. Knowing your box means identifying your limits: How much change can you embrace? How does your personality fuel or hinder your growth? How do your actions affect those around you? And how does your box shift in different situations?

When faced with an innovation challenge, the urge to create something completely new is strong. We excel at brainstorming radical possibilities, but often stumble at the implementation stage. My approach flips this script: let's first delve into your existing strengths, past successes, and established relationships. Building solutions from a foundation of competence is an often-overlooked path to innovation. It might not feel as thrilling as chasing entirely new concepts, but leveraging what you already do well can be the most effective way to gain traction. Starting strong provides the stability needed to later explore more experimental and groundbreaking ideas. By understanding the contours of your team's individual and collective boxes, you build a launchpad for sustainable innovation.

Step 2: Trade Distorted Reflections for Clarity and Vision

Imagine your thinking space, your "box," lined with mirrors. Many of these don't reflect reality accurately—they twist perceptions and cloud understanding. To break free and truly innovate, we need to swap some of these distorting mirrors for tools that bring clarity and foresight: microscopes and telescopes.

Think of the microscopes as tools for examining the reflections from those warped mirrors. They help you dissect the distortions, identify common threads across your skewed perspectives, and ultimately get closer to the underlying truth of your experiences. By using these microscopes, leaders become adept at recognizing their influence within a team, sharpening their problem-solving skills, and fueling innovation. Essentially, the microscope helps you clearly define the edges of your "box."

Once you're comfortable using these microscopes to understand your internal landscape, you're ready to deploy your telescopes. These powerful tools allow you to peer beyond the confines of your "box" and envision future possibilities. Remember those "holes" in your box that connect you to the outside world? The telescope uses the insights gained from your microscopic examination to project thoughtful reflections outwards, through those very holes. Effective leaders use this ability to distill experiences into actionable behaviors, strategically applying them to inspire specific responses from others.

Step 3: Punch More Holes in Your Box!

Think of your personal "box.” Now imagine it’s got holes connected to your senses, your ways of interacting with the world. The more holes, the more you can connect and learn. Interestingly, the size and number of these holes aren't fixed. They grow when you're around people you trust and shrink when past negative experiences cloud your judgment.

Exceptional leaders understand what makes these holes expand and contract, both in themselves and others. They can consciously open themselves up while also creating a safe space for their team members to do the same. Sometimes, life throws unexpected punches, ripping open new holes and forcing us to see things differently. These moments, though sometimes jarring, can be powerful catalysts for growth and creativity.

But be warned! Just as easily, holes can be blocked or sealed shut by negative events or deliberate actions. Great leaders act as a support system, recognizing these closures and working to keep those channels open. Their own multitude of open connections allows them to weather temporary setbacks. So, how can you intentionally create more openings in your box and encourage others to do the same?

Step 4: Reading the Instructions on Your "Box"

The secret, I believe, is that the instructions for true innovation are printed right there on the outside of our boxes. Plain for the world to see but not visible to us. To tap into truly novel solutions, leaders need to cultivate a network of individuals who can decipher and share those instructions. This demands the ability to forge strong, trusting relationships, even if they're temporary, creating an environment where others feel comfortable interpreting your unique perspective. A driving philosophy for innovation is that all relationships matter. 

This process isn't as simple as asking for directions. Your "box" speaks a language that's deeply personal. Understanding the instructions requires both parties to see clearly and interpret accurately. Does your chosen "reader" have enough "holes" in their own box to grasp your perspective? Are you open enough to truly receive their feedback? Furthermore, can you decipher the instructions on their box? This reciprocal understanding often paves the way for your own insights to be revealed.

While the core instructions are likely straightforward, the act of understanding, interpreting, and communicating them is where the complexity lies. Exceptional leaders recognize the dynamic nature of these instructions and actively work to foster an environment where they can be read and relayed effectively. They seek diverse perspectives, understanding that multiple interpretations enrich the process. Moreover, they prioritize giving back, recognizing that collective success hinges on a willingness to understand and support each other's innovative journeys.

Ultimately, unlocking your innovative potential isn't a solitary endeavor. It requires connecting with others who bring different experiences and understandings to the table. Building a truly innovative team hinges on a shared commitment to engage, communicate openly, and help each other "read the instructions."

So, the next time you hear the call to "think outside the box," remember to first build on common ground. Focus on opening channels of communication, seek out those who can offer fresh perspectives on your challenges, and be ready to reciprocate. Deep reflection and continuous learning are key. The innovation process itself is quite simple; the real magic lies in the people and the relationships you build. If you aspire to be an innovative leader, prioritize understanding the problem and nurturing trusting, honest, and dependable connections above all else.