The Unexpected Power of Boundaries

Rethinking the Rules, Risks, and Real Drivers of Innovation

by Sheri Jacobs

What if the secret to breakthrough innovation isn’t thinking outside the box—but knowing where the box ends?

In The Unexpected Power of Boundaries, bestselling author and innovation strategist Sheri Jacobs challenges everything we’ve been told about creativity. Innovation doesn’t just happen, and it’s not about luck or timing. It’s about creating a structure that nourishes ideas, allows people to experiment, and provides clarity around constraints.

Through powerful stories, candid interviews, and lessons from unexpected places—from Pixar to polar expeditions—Jacobs reveals why boundaries don’t limit innovation, they launch it. This book is a practical, inspiring guide for leaders and teams who want to move faster, take smarter risks, and make innovation a repeatable habit.

You’ll learn:

• Why boundaries fuel creativity
• How to make risk-taking safer
• Why some of the best ideas come from unexpected people and places
• How to separate the “what” from the “how”—and why that changes everything
• Why you need to “take more shots” if you wish to innovate

 When people know they have creative freedom, and equally important, clarity about exactly what to explore—they stop hesitating. They start experimenting. And that’s exactly where meaningful innovation begins to take root. Whether you’re leading a boardroom, launching a product, or shaking up the status quo, The Unexpected Power of Boundaries will help you create the conditions for bold ideas to lead to true innovation.