Think outside your own box
“Thinking outside the box” is still the top business jargon nonsense phrase. It’s so over-used that it’s almost impossible to wring any insight out of it.
So try this, instead. Think outside your own box.
A post by Frank Roche at KnowHR got me thinking about that. Here’s how his post begins.
“Here’s my interview question of the day: If you’re soaking wet, when you get on the train, do you:
a) Shake off like a Labrador Retriever on everyone near you, then set your wet bag and umbrella down on the dry seat next to you?
b) Take off your coat before you sit down, fold it inside out, and put your wet bag and umbrella on the ground?”
In the compressed society of a commuter train, you should think outside your own box and consider how what you do will affect the people around you. In the world of your life and career, you should do the same.
How does what you do affect your co-workers? Do you brighten their lives by showing up or by calling in sick?
How does what you do affect your boss? Part of your job is to help your boss succeed and look good.
How does what you do affect your loved ones? They’ll often give you a pass when you choose a bit of extra work over them. But they won’t do that forever.
How does what you do affect that recruiter? He or she has to make a quick judgment about whether you’re worth considering. What are you doing to pique their interest or demonstrate your value?
You can’t control what people think about you or how they react to you. But you can use what you do and what you say to influence them. Thinking outside your box gives you the option to make choices that help you succeed.
January 26th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
What you are describing is being a servant leader.
When you serve the market and your team, and release the binds of perceived judgments of others, explosive growth occurs.
Mark Allen Roberts
http://www.outbsolutions.com
January 27th, 2010 at 12:28 am
Wonderful post Wally. I wholeheartedly agree with the idea that people need to think about how they affect others in order to think outside the box. So much thought is directed at how we can impose our wishes on others when all great leaders need to do is be open to the input and ideas of others. Our actions really do have consequences and the more we treat people with kindness and empathy the better results we get. I’ve seen time after time how leaders can transform their interactions with people and the functioning of their organizations by putting into practice the (outside the box) thinking that you’re proposing.
Take care,
Guy
January 28th, 2010 at 4:08 am
Hi Wally, it is about paying attention to how your actions affect others. It’s about watching all your mirrors and thinking that we’re all in this together. At work, we collaborate. What we do affects many others. Thinking and realizing the impact of your actions is essential.
Good points about co-workers, loved ones and recruiters.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:38 am
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