There is a controversial reason why the Snapchat CEO sets new employees up to fail on their first day on the job.
The social media app’s co-founder and CEO, Evan Spiegel, lifted the lid on his bizarre training tactic for new hires.
People who join Snapchat are put to the test on their first day by being asked to pull together a presentation.
And while that might sound like anyone’s worst nightmare on the first day on the job, there’s apparently a good reason behind it.
Making an appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast with host Steven Bartlett, Spiegel explained why he likes to put new recruits on the spot.
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He said: “When you have no context for what the company is working on, no idea what’s going on, how on earth are you supposed to come up with a great idea? I mean, it’s almost impossible.”
However, he isn’t trying to get usable ideas from the new hires when asking them to put together a proposal, instead it’s about ripping off the bandaid of failure.
The CEO continued: “99% of ideas are not good—but 1% is. We really abide by the concept that the best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.”
Spiegel also went on to explain the three values that he’s looking for in a potential new employee during the hiring process.
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He wants his workforce to be kind, smart and creative.
Spiegel continued: “We learned over time that actually, wow, kindness is the essential ingredient if you want to have a creative culture.”
And he believes that when a worker is struggling, it’s even more important to be kind.
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He added: “The nice thing to do is maybe just make them feel good about it: ‘oh don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll be okay’.
“The kind thing to do is really help them succeed.”
Many viewers took to the YouTube comment section to share their reactions to the interview.
One inspired user said: “This is good stuff. Kindness fosters creativity. I will remember that.”
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Another shared a similar sentiment, adding: “Brilliant I love the way the conversation went about creative ideas and bringing the best out in people. One of the best interviews.”
However, not everyone was convinced, with one person commenting: “Not Evan trying to convince the world that snap chat is different and he isn’t a capitalist billionaire.”