What does it mean to think outside the box?
How many times have you heard the phrase ''You need to think outside the box?'' Or ''It's a good job someone is thinking outside the box?''
Thinking outside the box encourages innovation and unconventional thinking.
It alludes to thinking outside the box or not being constrained by traditional or conventional ways of thinking. In a perfect world, someone in a large group of people would come up with a brilliant concept that sticks out, leading to the phrase, "Someone is thinking outside the box."
The phrase is frequently used to inspire individuals to develop fresh, original ideas or to come up with imaginative answers to issues. When presented with a challenging situation, it can be beneficial to "think outside the box'' since it can inspire you to generate ideas that otherwise might not have occurred to you.
Where did the phrase originate?
Its origin is technically unknown, but according to certain theories, it most likely started in the USA in the late 1960s or early 1970s. It has taken on a cliche-like quality, particularly in the corporate world where the phrase "thinking outside the box" has lost much of its original meaning.
Another idea holds that the 9-dot puzzle was created as a mental test, requiring the solver to connect each of the nine dots using four straight, uninterrupted lines without ever lifting the pencil from the paper. Only by drawing the lines outside of the square area that the nine dots themselves define can the puzzle be rapidly solved. The phrase "thinking outside the box" reiterates the method of problem-solving.
The only reason the challenge seems complicated is that people typically imagine a border at the edge of the dot array. The ambiguous challenge that most people consider to be the main problem.
Are employees likely to use the phrase?
Practically everyone, but middle to upper management are more likely to make use of this expression often with a CEO or business owner dropping the phrase into a speech or presentation where appropriate.
Why is the Phrase irritating?
Because most people use it in their daily conversations with others because they believe they are clever, the phrase can become grating after a while.
You and your buddies are playing football when one of your friends remarks, "You need to think outside the box more with those tries on goal."
You can be told during a performance review meeting with your line manager to "Think outside the box when presented with daily problems."
"You need to think outside the box more under the sheets". Your lover will say as she turns to face you.
"Perhaps it might be helpful to think outside the box when deciding what you're going to tell a client as to why a service failed when writing emails to clients". Your employer advises you.
When someone says the phrase and they don't have a single creative bone in their body and then proceeds to criticise you, the entire situation becomes patronising.
Having your boss call you out in front of a group of coworkers that ''You know how to think outside the box".
It's f*cking fantastic!
Other phrases to use instead?
"What a great idea".
James Mason
