What is Outside the Box Thinking?
TL; DR:
Outside the box = make non-obvious connections and generate wild ideas
Inside the box =
- be provided with a well-defined problem and its constraints
- Be able to generate and follow a flow chart
“Outside the box” thinking, Definition
Outside the box thinking, also referred to as lateral thinking, is thinking with a new perspective (which may be unconventional). To use your thoughts to generate wild ideas, make non-obvious connections, and use non immediately obvious reasoning. The ideas that vertical thinking will produce are creative and multidirectional and can be an open, honest, and direct evaluation of a situation, oneself, or an organization. Outside the box thinking is primarily used in problem-solving.
“Inside the box” thinking, Definition
Inside the box thinking, also referred to as vertical thinking, is thinking within well-defined constraints. It could involve being provided with a cardboard box and turning it into a tunnel, a storage unit, an airplane, etc. The thinking surrounds solving a problem within defined constraints.
To perform inside the box thinking, it is important to accurately parse and execute a variety of tasks (such as making decisions, analyzing data, and managing the progress of standard operating procedures). To be selective, analytic, and sequential. To rely on data and facts. To make rational assessments in order to take in information or make decisions.
Value of Outside the Box Thinking
Being an outside the box thinker has a lot of value. You think of things no one has ever thought of, you make connections between abstract concepts, you make observations that were unseen by others who see inside the box. These values allow you to focus on non-obvious things, be critical of a situation, oneself, and an organization, make visible the assumptions of the masses, and solve a problem without knowing precisely the problem you are solving while meeting the expectations of others. And you will embody your inner child mind.
Value of Inside the Box Thinking
Once you are provided with the constraints, needs, and expectations of a problem. You will be able to use your inside the box thinking and gain its values. Such as, allowing yourself to be open, creative, and flexible within a set of parameters, follow a process to accomplish a task, and be able to produce a result to meet the expectations of others.
Role Employees with Out-of-the-Box thinking are in?
Scanning Indeed to obtain a general view. The majority of job postings that look for Out-of-the-Box thinkers are:
- Sales, Marketing, and Consulting.
