On creativity and business

Creativity is usually thought of as internally motivated — a response to a deeply felt personal urge to challenge convention, push boundaries and explore. But newly published research suggests that, at least in the business world, the link between inspiration and ingenuity is strengthened by focusing on the needs of others.

From Empathy Conducive to Creativity from Miller-McCune.

What this says to me is that the key to thinking outside of the box is to put yourself in someone else’s. User experience folks are familiar with this concept in the form of personas. Authors do this when they get inside the head of their characters.