3 of 5

Write now Article Tools

"We must stop assuming that a thing which has never been done before probably cannot be done at all"
- Donald M. Nelson

In the early eighties, Steve Jobs walked into a design meeting at Apple with a telephone book and threw it on the table. "That's how big the Macintosh can be. Nothing any bigger will make it. And hey, here's something else, I'm tired of all these square, squat boxy-looking computers. Why can't we build one that's taller, rather than wider? Think about it". And then he walked out leaving behind a shocked group of people and a phone book that was half the size of the current home computer. His demand was unreasonable. It was "out of the box" thinking, or in this case, "smaller box" thinking. Such thinking is uncomfortable and fear arises of venturing into uncharted waters.

Leaders, challenge your team to attempt the impossible. Encourage them to step out of the comfortable zone. Give them opportunities to innovate and allow the freedom to fail.

In your personal life, I urge you not to take the easy road by creating straightforward, obtainable goals that fail to widen your abilities. Periodically set yourself goals that are unrealistic; learn to speak Chinese in six months; patent an invention; meet a celebrity; win an award, run a marathon. The results may be surprising. The previously unexplored might bring great rewards previously undiscovered. Walt Disney said, "It's fun to try the impossible." When was the last time you tried something for the first time?

Learn more about this author, Scott Orr.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Thinking outside of the box: Strategies for getting out your own way?
We want to hear your view. Write now!