Today’s challenges call for people to think outside the box. We need innovators, problem-solvers, and revolutionaries. Yet the only way we can make an impactful change and build a legacy is by thinking outside the box.
But what does thinking outside of the box mean?
We talked to entrepreneur Samier Chavez to find out.
Thinking Outside of the Box is an Art Form
Thinking outside of the box is an art form as it entails generating ideas and taking steps to implement those ideas so as to achieve a certain outcome. Over the years, we have experienced creative ideas become realities, e.g. boundaryless organizations and global virtual teams. Many organizations are going out of their way to promote thinking outside the box to stay relevant in the market.
Samier says that thinking outside the box is not a trait that’s allocated to a special few. Every one of us possesses this inherent trait. However, activating this trait requires a shift of mindset, nurturing and cultivating an environment that promotes thinking out of the box, empowerment, and teamwork.
Mindset Shift
Thinking outside the box requires you to let go of a fixed mindset and replace it with a growth mindset. The beauty of having a growth mindset is that you realize there are no limitations. A person with such a mindset is open-minded and willing to try out new possibilities. A mindset shift also means letting go of the caveman way of thinking and adopting creative and contemporary ways of doing things, e.g. Adopting a new technology that would streamline operations.
A Nurturing & Cultivating Environment
Businesses that want to perform better than their competitors should work towards creating a nurturing and cultivating environment. The first order of business for such an environment is to build relationships. “Leaders should strive to create an environment that helps their team members develop meaningful connections,” says Samier. In most cases, this is done through team-building initiatives or regular meetings after work.
A nurturing environment celebrates the accomplishments of the individual as well as the team. Celebrating the individual helps foster a sense of pride in the organization, which in turn can motivate out-of-the-box thinking.
Empowerment
Leadership can promote out-of-the-box thinking by creating an environment that promotes creativity and empowers its members. Such an environment can only be set up after some time. Rather, it takes engaging in small steps like implementing knowledge-sharing systems or information banks.
Samier says that empowering employees and opening the lines of knowledge sharing help the company gain a competitive advantage as employees begin sharing their out-of-the-box ideas.
Teamwork
Teamwork is the place where brainstorming and knowledge sharing take place. Promoting teamwork improves out-of-the-box thinking as members communicate ideas for a number of projects. Good teamwork and team synergy means members are comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. Without teamwork, out-of-the-box thinking could suffer as an individual’s potential is not maximized.
You can encourage out-of-the-box thinking by setting up employees into teams regularly and encouraging the members to share their ideas.
Final Remark
Out-of-the-box thinking is something you can learn. This art form is crucial if you want to outdo your competitors and win clients. All it takes is shifting your mind, empowering your employees and working towards building a nurturing and cultivating environment. Teamwork also goes a long way in promoting out-of-the-box thinking as members communicate ideas and share knowledge.
