But wait - there's more!

Problem solving is a learned skill. How we approach and attempt to solve today’s problem is most influenced by how we solved our last problem or last similar problem.

Edward de Bono did some great work in the 70’s through the 90’s published in his many books, 2 of which are Lateral Thinking and Six Thinking Hats that expose the mindset and learning needed to stave off “tunnel-vision” and keep our minds open for as long as possible to other potential ways to address an issue.

When we are challenged to create new solutions to new or existing problems – we are often encouraged to “think outside the box”. The challenge is to suspend all current issues and concerns – to be creative, have no constraints, imagine “what if” that specific constraint (time, money, technology) did not exist.

This thinking allows us to be innovative, free thinking, and not constrained by those roadblocks that we know currently exist.

A few brainstorming questions for out of the box thinking:

·??????What if money was not a constraint? No budget, no spending limit – what would you do first??

·??????What if time was not a constraint? You don’t have a deadline, there is no drop-dead date – what actions would you take?

·??????What if team resources were not a constraint? Your team has both time and capability to take actions – what would you ask them to do?

·??????What if roadblock(s) did not exist? The top issues did not exist – what would have to be true for that to be true?

Out of the box thinking is a clear winner. Often great solutions come when we brainstorm without constraints; when we suspend “reality” for a few moments to see the whole picture. Even if the constraint will continue to exist, looking at the problem as if it did not exist allows us to have a new, fresh perspective.

Inside the Box

When we step out of the box - we often gain clarity, but we also step away from so many things that got us to where we are. There are so many good things that are still in the box.

In a recent leadership podcast, Craig Groeschel encouraged leaders to also do “inside the box” thinking / brainstorming exercises.

This thinking forces us to be innovative, creative, and not allowed to remove any constraints – but still move forward.

A few brainstorming questions for in the box thinking:

·??????What if there is no more money? What can we do within our current budget?-or even 90% of our current budget? What expenses can we cut or remove to allow us to spend more in this area?

·??????What if there is no more time? The deadline is the deadline? How can we re-structure other work or be more efficient and effective with the time remaining?

·??????What if there are no more team resources? Or what if team resources become even more constrained – 10%, 15%, or even 20% fewer resources??

·??????If these roadblocks are immovable / unchangeable, what options do we have? What are potential work arounds / solutions that we can brainstorm?

To fulfill President Kennedy’s audacious goal to put men on the moon before the end of the decade required lots of out of the box thinking. However, averting a high-CO2 level crisis during the Apollo 13 mission has been called one of NASAs greatest achievements.?

When an oxygen tank exploded as Apollo 13 neared the moon, the three-man crew had to abort their mission, power down the command module, and move into the lunar module for the journey home. Designed to house only two people, the craft quickly filled with dangerous levels of carbon dioxide.

To save themselves, the astronauts had to somehow attach a square CO2 scrubber to the circular opening of the lunar module’s filtration system. The ground team designed an adapter from the limited items on board, including hoses from spacesuits, tube socks, and duct tape.

In the movie, they dumped a bunch of junk on the table and said, “Can you figure it out?” That was the only way the movie could convey how they got there. [In reality,] there was total familiarity with the hardware. The thinking was explicitly constrained to making it work with only the items that were on hand. Totally inside the box.

While an environment of no constraints has its appeal, constraints will always be a reality.

You need to learn and practice both “out of the box” and “in the box” thinking exercises to maximize your effectiveness as a team. Don’t restrict yourself to only one or the other. Your team is at its best when it uses all its capabilities – not just half!?

Only?Action?gets you closer to your dreams - do something today that your future self will thank you for."

- COACH?

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