What is lateral thinking?
Lateral thinking is looking at a problem differently and developing a unique solution. Lateral thinking requires creativity and innovation, qualities many employers look for in a candidate. Companies that wish to stay competitive will likely recruit graduates capable of lateral thinking.
This skill is valuable in creative industries such as media and publishing and fast-paced professions like retail, law, management consultancy, and IT. Any graduate who takes up a management role will likely need to draw on lateral thinking skills to solve problems and take forward the team’s work.
Why ask a candidate about their ability to solve a problem using lateral thinking?
How you answer questions about lateral thinking will provide some insight into whether you:
- Can think in an innovative way
- Are capable of coming up with a creative solution to a problem
- Can overcome difficult situations when there is no immediate answer
- Can cope under pressure when facing a challenge you have never previously experienced
Related: Strategic Interview Questions to Ask Candidates
How to ask questions about lateral thinking
When asking how a candidate would use lateral thinking, you are actually asking two questions. You want to know if the candidate has faced a difficult situation before and how they were able to come up with a solution to solve it. Their answer can show you their skills in problem-solving and creativity.
Most real-life problems call for a creative approach and some lateral thinking. When compiling your questions for an interview, try to think of situations relevant to your business to gauge how the candidate might handle them.
Related: 7 Techniques To Conduct an Effective Interview
Examples of questions to ask that involve lateral thinking
To evaluate how well a candidate may fit into your organization, ask questions about their past experience with their studies or other employment where they needed to solve a problem in a creative way. Here are some examples:
1. How would you approach a scenario where traditional solutions have failed to resolve an issue?
Adaptability and resilience are important qualities in creative problem-solving. When a candidate recounts a persistent challenge where a traditional solution didn’t work, evaluate whether they could bring a fresh perspective to the table and pivot when necessary. If they could analyze the situation from a new angle and develop an innovative approach, this is a valuable quality.
Related: How To Conduct a Job Interview
2. Describe your process for generating innovative ideas under tight deadlines
The ability to harness creativity systematically is crucial when under pressure, especially in creative roles. This question probes into how a candidate can balance the urgency of deadlines with the need for innovative outcomes, looking for a blend of structured thinking and flexibility in thought processes.
Related: Is the Competition for Tech Talent Hurting Innovation? HR Tech Leaders and Employees Respond
3. Share an instance when you had to solve a problem without all the necessary information
Creative problem-solving demands making educated guesses and connecting disparate pieces of information. This question tests the candidate’s ability to handle ambiguity and take decisive action with limited resources. It examines a candidate’s resourcefulness in uncertain situations.
Related: 5 Steps to Connect with High-Quality Candidates on Indeed
4. Recount an experience where lateral thinking led you to a breakthrough
How a candidate responds can show their capacity for innovation, flexibility in thought processes, and ability to approach challenges in unconventional ways. When responding, candidates ideally should recount a specific instance that showcases their creative thinking skills and explain the conventional methods that were proving ineffective. If they can detail a unique approach they used to solve the problem, this demonstrates strong problem-solving and creativity skills.
Related: Four Strategies for Closing the Gap Between Job Seekers and Employers
5. Talk about an incident where you had to change the solution mid-way due to unforeseen circumstances.
Flexibility and the ability to change course when a plan fails are critical in creative problem-solving. If a candidate shows they can think on their feet, reevaluate a situation creatively, and make decisions that put a project back on course, they demonstrate excellent lateral thinking skills.
6. How do you arrive at a consensus for a creative strategy when faced with conflicting viewpoints?
Developing a creative strategy that all parties accept can be difficult when facing conflicting viewpoints. This scenario requires the candidate to use conflict resolution skills as well as be inventive in creating a solution. Guiding a team toward a unified decision shows patience, excellent people skills, and ingenuity.
During the interview process, determining whether a candidate has the right lateral thinking skills is important. Asking specific questions about their experience making decisions in challenging situations can help you decide who will best fit the role at your organization. Using the examples provided, you can customize your questions and use them to compare candidates’ answers.
Related:
