Out of the box is about choice
by Miki SaxonMy post yesterday brought an interesting question from Dan L. in Boston. He said, “Why in the world would any manager do anything that would reduce the options available to identify a solution needed in his/her group, especially a CEO?”
So, I paraphrased five reasons that I’ve actually heard, in one form or another, from top managers who talked about being out of the box, but really wanted to stay in it.
- Think outside—as long as it doesn’t make me uncomfortable.
- Don’t challenge the status quo in a manner that scares me.
- Be creative within parameters I can understand.
- If you want to breach the box, do it my way.
- We’ve never done it that way.
At first, Dan was incredulous, then he really thought about what’s behind each of the five reasons, and he understood what anybody who really listens to the thoughts behind people’s words comes to know.
Out of the box is about change, and change is scary—for everybody.
But it’s not about being scared, it’s about how you choose to handle it.
That’s right, choose.
Your responses, your choice.
Think about it this weekend.
Then, when you get to the office Monday and one of your people has a great idea that scares the dickens out of you, consciously choose how you respond—knowing that no matter how you choose the ripples of that choice will spread and impact not only your future, but also the future of your people and your company.