How to make your people think outside of the box?
The times when you need your people to be extra creative and think out of the box are especially when:
- Facing tough challenges.
- When everything works good, and it is time to level up.
No matter the situation, the methods are the same.
“Creativity is the process of having original ideas that have value. It is a process; it’s not random.” — Ken Robinson
Draw a bigger box
The key to encouraging creative thinking lies in the way you are describing the problem.
When looking for an outstanding idea, the goal or the problem should be described abstractly and wide perspective. Hinting about a certain direction for the solution will shrink the space of thoughts.
Do not ask: “How can we increase the number of clients?.”
Instead, ask: “How can we increase the revenue?.”
Do not ask: “How can we write better tests?.”
Instead, ask: “How can we reduce the number of bugs?.”
The option C approach
Brainstorming new ideas or solutions to a problem commonly ends up as an option A vs option B trade-offs juggling.
Each option has its pros and cons, that’s how life usually is.
While being presented in an option A & B situation, aggressively block both.
Blow a significant breeze into the people’s sails and push them to come up with an option C — a win-win situation — the ultimate solution.
Yes, they can.
“Creativity is not talent but attitude.” — Jenova Chen
When working on their solar roof solution, Tesla’s engineers came up with several design suggestions. The trade-off summed up to be between:
A. An attractively priced, not so good looking roof.
B. A good looking roof, for people who can afford it.
Fast forward → Tesla ended up suggesting a product that is not only looking more beautiful than the traditional roof but also priced the same or in some cases is even cheaper.

Inspire
Before launching the process of thinking, illustrate the awaited ending. Provide the people with a taste of the success awaiting at the end of the road.
Equipe yourself with some inspirational success stories, like the Tesla one, so the challenge will fill feasible.
Set the physical conditions to ignite creativity and motivate.
For example Setup a big whiteboard, on which everyone can write short and daring questions, at any time. Make sure that this board will be visible by all at all times.
“Do we really need X?” “Is Y the best solution for Z?”
“What if we will get rid of W?” “Why do we use this board?”
It will encourage passive and continuous cross-fertilizing.
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” — Albert Einstein
Value over Speed
When striving for an outstanding solution (an option C) — make sure to allocate a generous amount of time. Be honest about your intentions and do not afraid to go all-in. Do not afraid of failure, the same as you do not want your people to.
“If you don’t give yourself room to fail, you won’t innovate.” — Bob Iger
You may allocate X amount of time and come up with an idea that will generate $1M a year, or you may allocate 2X amount of time and come up with an idea worth $10M a year.
So as a continuation to Bob Iger’s quote:
Give yourself enough time to create great-enough ideas.
To help you and your team reach the right set of mind, allocate some time and watch The Imitation Game together.
Actively involve (redirect or support)
Zoom in the thinking processes now and then.
Redirect those which feels not ambitious enough and are tending to an option A & B type of solutions (i.e. a $1M idea). Encourage them to think bigger and not to make any premature compensations.
“The chief enemy of creativity is “good” sense.” — Pablo Picasso
Support those who are aspiring high by strengthening their directions and provide some inputs of your own to be considered as suggestions only.
Spice them up with some realistic ways of implementations and let the people feel confident about continuing and developing those directions.
Create great things.
