SCREW THIS “THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX” ADVICE!
Pravin Shekar
Inspires Creators on #creativity #unconventional #execution #outliermarketing?#strategy #insights #storytelling
This newsletter contants:
SCREW THIS "THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX" ADVICE!
WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS BOX?
?There is a target, a goal.
You strive hard to get there. Blood, toil, tears, sweat, and a lot of swear words.
You motivate yourself to get to that point.
You do.
That's when you realize that it's a moving goalpost.
It is like running a marathon where the finish lines are moved further away every time you get close!
That goal keeps moving away, like a mirage. You keep searching for water. You chase an oasis in the desert. You see water. Or something like it.
And you keep going towards it. All your life.
Someone said, "Think outside the box".
But this box has amorphous boundaries. The borders keep shape-shifting.
Yet you dare step outside, but that's when you realize that even the folks who encourage you to think outside the box stay well within it.
It is like a leader encouraging you to take risks but penalizing you for every mistake!
Such leaders do lip service and want to be known as being different but don't do anything to that effect.
Neither would they let you do anything outside the norm.
Do you know the story of the crabs?
It is said that if you put a bunch of crabs inside a box, each one tries to ensure that none escape. Picture a team where, whenever someone suggests a bold idea, others pull them back with reasons it won't work, stifling innovation.
Is this the box you are in? If so, you are already part of the culture. The culture of a prisoner.
Conditioned. Schooled. Conformed.
So, if "thinking outside the box" is supposed to encourage innovation:
First, ensure that the box walls are set in stone; do not move, cannot.
Be precise.
What is this wall? What are the boundaries?
领英推荐
What exactly is this goal?
And if I do crush this box and innovate, do the powers-that-be have the B***S, the will, to carry the idea forward?
It's one thing for leaders to say they want innovation, but are they willing to invest time, money, and resources to turn bold ideas into reality?"
****
Define your own boundaries.
Challenge the norms.
Stop waiting for permission from (marketing) leaders who are too scared to break their rules.
If they don't back your innovation/new thinking, find those who will or become the leader who does.?
Create, disrupt, and revolutionize—because that's where real progress begins.
SCREW THE BOX!
**
A REQUEST: What business cliches or such advice comes to your mind?
Do share so we can bust it together.
ONE KEY LESSON FROM SUN TZU’S ART OF WAR:
Enthusiasm is inversely proportional to the duration!
A Movie. Game. Love. Life. Business.
Keep it simple silly!
Keep it short!
#outlier #screwthebox #cliches #marketing #leaders #different #pod
I am an outlier marketer and a raconteur.
"HOW TO HIRE, FIRE & INSPIRE LEADERS": If you'd like a copy of my latest book, write to?Outlier @pravinshekar.com
My books are available at www.pravinshekar.com/books
Scaleup advisor solving Operations, Customer Success & GTM problems for consumer insights, data, analytics companies ?? Writing on scale + leadership at jddeitch.com
4 个月We live in a world where being a maverick is harder than ever. It’s far easier being a follower, and even people who think they are “living their best lives” are often doing so inside a framework that someone else has defined.
Leadership Alchemist ???? Organisational Psychologist ?? Helping Organisations Develop??Leadership Mindsets ?? and Execution Excellence ?? CSP - Certified Speaking Professional ?? Corporate Edutainer ??
4 个月"You are lonely at the top" is the worst cliche I hate. As a leader you have all the options to come down, connect with people, seek help, collaborate and be integral part of the team. One feels lonely at the top only because of his or her own insecurity and not willing to be vulnerable.
Creative Visionary | Merging Art and Strategy to Elevate Brand Experiences | Designing Museums, Experience Centers & Galleries | Professional Speaker
4 个月Very true... So, I always say simply start living Outside the BOX. A very valid point you brought out... the whole penalising culture is the biggest roadblock to this...
International Female Speaker on Setback Leadership. I work with progressive companies to take their leadership teams from ‘Why me?’ to ‘Wow! It’s me’ with my proprietory 3-step process.
4 个月I love this line, "It is like a leader encouraging you to take risks but penalizing you for every mistake!" This is what is called a mic drop moment. In this case, pen drop, maybe? By the way, this is also one of the cliches I hear in the corporate world. You are encouraged to take risks but never forgiven for making mistakes! What a dichotomy, isn't it?
Transforming human beings to build "The Productive Mindset" to experience fulfillment | LinkedIn Strategist | Bestselling Author | Professional Speaker | Business Consultant | LinkedIn Top Voice | Advisory Council HBR
4 个月One of the best designed, written and interesting newsletter ??