Snapchat CEO and co-founder Evan Spiegel has revealed a unique and controversial onboarding process for new hires, particularly designers, at Snap Inc.
During a recent appearance on The Diary of a CEO podcast, Evan shared details about the “presentation test,” a Day 1 challenge that requires new employees to pitch a brand-new idea without any prior preparation or context.
This unconventional approach aims to foster creativity, embrace failure, and encourage innovation within the company.
The ‘Presentation Test’: A Bold Onboarding Strategy at Snapchat
The “presentation test” is designed to push new hires out of their comfort zones from the very beginning.
On their first day, new designers are tasked with presenting an original idea to their colleagues, despite having no background knowledge of the company’s ongoing projects or strategic goals.
Evan acknowledged the difficulty of the task, stating, “When you have no context for what the company is working on, how on earth are you supposed to come up with a great idea? I mean, it’s almost impossible.”
While the exercise may seem daunting, Evan believes it serves a greater purpose.
By confronting the fear of failure early on, employees are encouraged to think creatively and take risks.
“Ninety-nine percent of ideas are not good — but 1% is,” Evan explained. “And the best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.”
Embracing Failure as a Path to Creativity
Evan’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that failure is an essential component of the creative process.
He argues that removing the stigma around failure can liberate employees from creative constraints, allowing them to explore unconventional ideas.
“All feedback is good feedback,” Evan noted. “What you do with it is what matters.”
This approach aligns with Snap’s culture of constant experimentation and innovation.
The company, known for pioneering features like disappearing photos and Stories, has built its reputation on pushing boundaries and challenging norms.
Evan credits this culture to the company’s willingness to embrace failure and learn from it.
In addition to fostering creativity, Evan emphasized the importance of kindness in creating a supportive and inclusive workplace.
“We learned over time that actually, wow, kindness is the essential ingredient if you want to have a creative culture,” he said.
Evan believes that kindness, combined with constructive feedback, helps employees overcome challenges and succeed in their roles.
Snapchat Presentation Test: Reactions and Implications
The “presentation test” has sparked mixed reactions among industry professionals and the public.
Some view it as an innovative approach to fostering creativity and resilience.
However, others question its practicality and the possible effects on employee morale, especially for younger workers joining the workforce.
For Evan, the test reflects Snap’s dedication to fostering innovation. It also highlights the company’s strong belief in the transformative power of ideas.
“People who think the game is to have the perfect idea — those are people who’ve never built a business before,” he remarked.
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