Thinking Outside of the Box is a phrase we often hear, but truly embracing this mindset can be challenging. The very notion of a “box” suggests limitations, yet the practice of thinking beyond these constraints is essential for the growth and innovation of both individuals and organizations. Without mastering this skill, how can we achieve breakthrough ideas and advancements?

In the IT industry, boxes are crucial. They come in the form of industry standards, security protocols, company policies, and core values. These frameworks provide us with structure and boundaries, much like gravity keeps us grounded. They ensure that our actions are aligned with our mission and that we operate within safe and ethical guidelines.

However, the paradox lies in the fact that while we need these boxes to function effectively, we also need to think beyond them to innovate. So, when should we think outside of the box, and when should we stay within it?

Thinking outside the box is also a very valuable skill in your personal life. Let me give you an example:

Years ago, my family owned a small farm where we had some goats, ducks, and other farm-type animals. Our oldest daughter, who was about nine at the time, came to me with a desire to start a business raising and selling miniature goats. I wanted to support her idea, so in typical entrepreneurial fashion, I asked her to build a budget showing her expected expenses and revenue to see if this was a viable business venture. When she came back with the budget, it didn’t balance, and she was about to give up. The conversation went something like this:

Daughter: Dad, I just can’t get the budget to work, so I just need to give up on this idea.

Me: Let’s look at your budget and see if there is anything we can trim.

Daughter: Here it is. I am negative by about the same amount as I need to feed the animals, but if I don’t feed them, they’d starve, and that wouldn’t work.

Me: What if we stole the food?

Daughter: WHAT!? We can’t steal food, that would be illegal and wrong!

Me: Okay, what if we did something LIKE stealing the food but it was legal and ethical?

Daughter: What are you talking about?

Me: You know the neighbors who have hay to feed their animals? It’s constantly making a mess in their barn, and they have to clean it up. What if you offered to clean it up for them in exchange for keeping something like 50% of it?

Daughter: …that…just…might…work…

At no time did I actually want to steal feed from people, but for a period of time, we needed to suspend reality so we could imagine possibilities. When we did this, we were able to imagine things that would normally seem absurd. As the gravity of the “box” (i.e., our morals) started to draw us back to earth, we were able to intersect with a possibility that we wouldn’t have been likely to imagine had we sat inside the box, trying to come up with ideas.

Thinking outside of the box is invaluable for brainstorming, inventing, and exploring new possibilities. It allows us to imagine what could be, without the immediate constraints of practicality. Yet, at some point, these ideas need to be refined and applied within a structured framework to become actionable and impactful.

The challenge arises when we prematurely impose constraints on our creative process. Worrying too soon about how an idea will be implemented can stifle innovation. It’s akin to placing a heavy burden on a fledgling concept, potentially crushing it before it has a chance to develop.

In the IT world, fostering an environment where creative thinking is encouraged, yet balanced with practical application, is key. By providing clear boundaries and guidelines, we give our teams the freedom to explore and innovate while ensuring that their ideas can be effectively integrated into our operations.

Ultimately, the goal is to strike a balance between structure and creativity. By doing so, we can drive innovation and growth, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible while staying true to our core values and mission.