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With apologies to Dr. Suess, we are so conditioned to "think outside of the box." But in the creative and corporate realms, even admitting that there is a box can still trap us within.
(Remember the little boy from "The Matrix?" He said that "there is no spoon." Same idea!)
I hate the phrase, “thinking outside the box.” It’s been so overused it’s become meaningless. I like the concept, I just don’t like the phrase. Besides, it’s clear to me more say they do than actually do.
If everybody thinks outside the box, why do pretty much all companies stay the same?
Psychologically speaking, it’s difficult. Our human nature sees security in constancy. People who do see the need for change want to change in different ways. I may see X as a solution to a certain problem, while you may see Y. We get bogged down and keep things much the way they were.
Much of it has to do with not questioning traditions. Why can’t the CEO sit in a cubicle with us? Why do we interview job candidates? Somebody who doesn’t interview well may actually do a better job than one who does. Why isn’t there more online commuting when often it’s clearly good for both worker and company? There are a million more.
The big problem with thinking outside the box is that when you do, you’re still thinking “Box.” We’re reacting to the box, which means the box is still in charge. I was told in a psych class that opposite is more of the same. As hard as that is to grasp, it’s the truth.
The outside of the box is still the box. It’s time to think Beyond the Box.
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