I have read that Walt Disney would challenge the phrase “think outside the box” by responding, “No! Don’t think outside the box! Once you say that, you’ve established that there is a box.”
It caught me by surprise then to hear the Global Leadership Summit last week begin with Craig Goeschel calling on leaders to “think inside the box” to create constraints that eliminate options and promote creativity.
You may have heard me say, “we will be known for the problems we solve.” I believe these “boxy” words of encouragement demonstrate how we can think about problems to solve and what we need to be successful.
Walt’s words about denying the existence of the box help us to understand there is no limit to the problems we can solve. Can we become known for how we promote entrepreneurship in the agribusiness and medical device sectors? As a rural area that is bucking the trends to attract talent? Or as a small community with big city amenities and housing options? Yes, yes, and yes!
Once we set ourselves toward these audacious goals, Craig’s call to create constraints helps us to build direction and momentum. It is so easy to get stuck going from one meeting to the next without making progress. Yet, we are working to build capacity to get more done faster and the secret is, we already have the people we need in this community to be successful.
So, what audacious goal is important to you? Drop me a line to share your ideas or find out how you can get involved in important work already underway!
– Alan Tio
