This may come from the person at the top who feels that the quality of solutions or ideas is not great. This stems from frustration. It also comes from people working in teams who feel that the contribution of others is not helping find new and original solutions to the challenges they face.

Thinking outside the box requires different attributes that include: (a) Willingness to take new perspectives to day-to-day work. (b) Openness to do different things and to do things differently. (c) Focusing on the value of finding new ideas and acting on them. (d) Striving to create value in new ways. (e) Listening to others. (f) Supporting and respecting others when they come up with new ideas.

Out-of-the box thinking requires an openness to new ways of seeing the world and a willingness to explore. Out-of-the box thinkers know that new ideas need nurturing and support. They also know that having an idea is good but acting on it is more important. Results are what count.