Evan Spiegel, the CEO of Snapchat has an unusual but smart practice for incoming designers on his team. On day one, new employees are set up to fail with an impossible task that feels overwhelming and, in some cases, even punitive. Although this first barrier seems daunting, it is a good thing. It scaffolds a culture of creativity and critical thinking, both of which are core to the company’s success.
New hires at Snapchat go through a brutal rite of passage that hones their jaws of life into problem-solving weapons. Yet, this same test helps prepare them for the creative requirements of their positions. Working through this challenging process presents an excellent learning opportunity for staff. No one likes failure, but even if 99% of their ideas are total misses, they’ll have acquired immensely valuable experience.
“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas,” – Evan Spiegel
This exercise is about more than just a creativity test. It doubles as a great team-building activity among the core team members. Mental fortitude. Through these exercises, employees foster self-belief and mental toughness, which are vital traits for succeeding in a fast-paced, ever-changing workplace. In doing so, they begin to break down the fear that comes with doing something new.
“The first thing you’ve got to realize is that most of the fear that you have isn’t a reality. It’s just built up in your head,” – Jocko Willink
Christopher Paul James offered wise advice on navigating fear, anxiety, and stress at work. He mentioned that effective strategies could be as simple as attaching a funny accent to one’s inner voice or giving oneself a hug. Even more so, I was inspired by Jocko Willink’s focus on just facing fears head on to remove their power over you.
Lori Castillo Martinez, executive vice president of talent at Salesforce, underlined the importance of understanding a company’s mission. She emphasized the importance of understanding where you fit in that mission. She encouraged first-time hires to talk to your hiring manager on what to expect and what the culture of the company is like during the interview process.
“It’s worth experimenting and being curious, leaning into the opportunity to identify your purpose and decide what kind of impact you want to be as a new hire,” – Lori Castillo Martinez
On an organizational level Spiegel pushes his employees to further experiment and cultivate their curiosity in their positions. He suggests that talking to current or former employees before starting can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations.