“Think outside the box” or “Draw No Boxes”

Several years ago, I attended a “Leadership Development” course. The course began with the instructor telling the class that we need more people to “think outside the box.” Frustrated, I disagreed and said, “I needed fewer people drawing boxes around me and forcing me to think outside of them.” Seems too simple – eh? Before you say, “you have to have boxes,” you need to understand what I mean.

Often, people doubt it is possible to have “no boxes” when you think. It is possible if you consider that everyone in the company has a single job to do. If you are a home builder, you build homes. Whether you are in the accounting department, a framer, or a marketer — you build homes. All I ask is you don’t limit yourself to your domain but consider how to be better if there were no limitations. Limitations of money, people, processes, or expertise may cause an organization to choose a specific option. The point to my comment — don’t just limit your options based on boxes you draw around yourself.

This incident spawned the idea for this blog. It took me several years, but I felt the need to share my thoughts. I hope they make sense and you glean something usable from them.

Until next time!

Dr. Dave

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