GET OUT OF THE BOX

Unleashing innovative thinking

Column by JAY PERRY

“The problem is …” It’s a great start to a close-minded conversation, yet we hear it so frequently. We all tend to become hyper focused on a singularity about an issue we are dealing with. Let’s face it, businesses exist to solve problems—if there were no problems or if they could be fixed by just anyone, there is no need for a business.

Let’s get used to the idea that today will be full of problem solving. People tend to quickly work through a situation and offer up an opinion as to the solution. These suggestions (or orders) are based upon past experience. There is no creativity is the past because, if it has already been done, it is not innovative. We all want to be able to think outside the box, yet we lock ourselves into believing we have the “innovative answer” to the challenge when we do not.

In the past I have talked about having advisors—which I certainly support. Their perspective can be enlightening to us as some of the challenges they have faced in the past are like what we currently face. That’s advantageous to us but not necessarily innovative. We tend to shutdown out-of-thebox- thinking with rash reasons like “they are too young” or “that would never work” or “this is different” attitudes which prevent us from hearing real innovation.

If we listen to the principle the other is trying to convey, we can often times spark the innovation we crave. I don’t believe they are going to come up with all the details of a complex solution. What I believe is that they often can offer up inspiration that leads us into out-of-the-box-thinking.

We all know of situations where a fresh set of eyes can help us see something we are overlooking. This is the same principle to incorporate into our listening. Be open to the new thinking and some of that comes from people that have no direct experience with the challenge we are facing but they have some fundamentals that they can base their perspective upon. That perspective is what we can capitalize on when we truly listen at a deeper level—the principal level.

That highlights another way we can get an advantage: have a third party sit in on a conversation and offer their own outside perspective. That is why so many business owners and managerial types participate in groups like 20-Groups, roundtables, performance groups, etc. The perspective you gain by simply being present is invaluable. When we go to a formal setting like that, we usually have already opened our minds.

We must challenge ourselves daily to keep an open mind when in familiar circumstances, such as the workplace, where it is incumbent upon us to solve problems. Treat every situation like you were walking into a 20-group meeting and listen to what others in your organization have to say. That’s another way we can stay the one who’s driving!