Opinions are divided — sometimes sharply divided — about where the best thinking occurs, “inside the box” or “outside the box.”

Whenever I’m asked, my answer is “Yes.”

There is much to be said about either location but [begin italics] solution [end italics], not location, is the key issue.

For example, Dave Robertson (author of Brick by Brick with Bill Breen) observes, “What I like about LEGO is how ‘inside the box’ they are. Too much of the literature on innovation is about the big, industry-changing innovations or about charismatic leaders who drive their companies to new heights. One of LEGO’s managers, Per Hjuler, said to me: ‘I’m continually humbled by the power of the little idea.’ LEGO is successful because they are continually innovating on many different dimensions, but they’re doing it within a fairly traditional business system.”

I think these are the key points:

o Most problems develop “inside the box” and many can be solved there but solutions to other problems may have to be found elsewhere.

o Sometimes a combination of locations — people thinking inside and outside the box — is needed.

o Or perhaps another “box” is needed.

o Whatever the given circumstances, solving the right problem is the ultimate objective…no matter how or where.

What do you think about all this?