How Big Is Your Playground? The Unexpected Power of Boundaries

I used to think boundaries were limiting, but I recently heard a story showing they can be freeing.

Here's what happened:
A landscape architect invited a preschool class to two local parks on separate occasions. Both parks had similar playgrounds, but only one was fenced. 

At the unfenced park, children stayed close to the teacher and avoided exploring beyond the playground. In the fenced park, children ventured confidently throughout the area, even approaching the fence. 

Traditionally, psychologists believed that constraints hinder innovation, advocating for unrestricted exploration to foster breakthrough ideas. 

However, recent studies indicate that constraints can actually enhance creativity by prompting individuals to think more resourcefully. Recognizing that constraints like time, finances, and resources are inherent in any endeavor is crucial.

This got me thinking about the work we do and the teams we lead.

Knowing our “failure boundaries” and understanding our limits can provide a safe space to innovate and embrace change in our organizations.

By clearly defining these boundaries based on our capacity for change, we create an environment where we can confidently explore new ideas and take calculated risks, leading to growth and development.

Just as the children felt liberated by the fence, we too can find freedom within well-understood boundaries.

It’s a reminder that boundaries are just constraints; their tools that, when used wisely, can empower us to reach our full potential.

Do you know your failure boundaries? Do you know how far you can go, fail, learn, and grow? Are there times when you or your organization stay too close to the safety of the "school" and miss an opportunity to grow?