FAQ (Part 2): How do I come up with more creative solutions in Product Sense questions?
In the last post, I wrote that most candidates only think about creativity when it comes to solutioning in a Product Sense interview.
But creativity should be demonstrated throughout, starting with how you set context and segment the problem space.
The way I help my clients segment creatively is to focus on finding the CRUX / ESSENCE of the problem.
Here are some examples that are not what most candidates talk about:
1️⃣ Disneyland app: making the wait time more interesting (vs just helping you plan the day)
2️⃣ Movie product on FB: reliving the magic afterwards (vs just helping you w/ discovery)
3️⃣ Group travel: getting buy-in from everyone (vs just listing options based on group preferences)
Learning to Identify the CRUX / ESSENCE
This is where my clients ask - it sounds easy when you do it, how can I learn how to identify the CRUX / ESSENCE on my own for other problems?
Most straight-forward answer is: practice practice practice 🫠
😺 A more creative answer (by tapping into the CRUX / ESSENCE of why this might be hard for you) is:
... tapping into your unconscious part of the brain rather than relying on your autopilot part of the brain.
Why the Autopilot Brain Isn’t Creative
The reason why the traditional way of segmenting feels easier is because that's how we've been taught in the last decade, so much so that our brain is now on autopilot mode.
The autopilot part of the brain, the part we use for all our habitual, day-to-day tasks is efficient, it's what we default to. But it's not where the creativity lives.
Engaging the Creative Brain
The creativity and innovative thinking comes from the other part of our brain - the part that isn't constantly engaged in our routine activities.
The challenge is, since we don't use that part of our brain as frequently, the neural pathways aren't as developed. It's like a muscle that doesn't get exercised.
So the key is to deliberately, intentionally start engaging that unused part of your brain.
One way to do that is to force yourself to think in other directions, not just go with your initial, obvious ideas - push yourself to come up with ideas that are outside your normal thought patterns.
Another Hack to Unlock Creativity
Another hack is to deliberately do the opposite of your habitual actions. For example, if you always brush your teeth with your right hand, start using your left hand instead. This shakes up your brain's autopilot mode and gets those other neural pathways firing.
The Goal: Developing Your Creative Muscle
The goal is to get your brain out of that comfortable, efficient autopilot state and start engaging the less-used parts of your mind.
Over time, you'll start building those new neural connections that support more innovative thinking.
Just like physical exercise, this mental exercise is crucial for developing your creative muscle, to deliberately disrupt your habits - that's where the magic, creativity, and innovations happen. 😼
