'The Diary of a CEO' host Steven Bartlett says only 7% of job candidates get a crucial question right in his hiring test

"Speaking on the "Hot Smart Rich" podcast, Bartlett said he uses a 35-question test rather than asking about academic grades to determine how people will act in a given situation and identify high-performing employees. The question he loves goes like this: There's an event that's six weeks away, and an important supplier said they won't be able to get you the things you need in time. The options are: scale back the event, push back the date, or - the answer Bartlett is looking for - ask why it takes six weeks."

""It's so crazy, because about 7% of people click that button, but that is so clearly the right thing to do," he said. Bartlett said the concept came up in his own company when an employee said he couldn't provide the animation for "DOAC" by Bartlett's deadline. When the employee was asked why, he cited his aging laptop. "$2,000 fixed the problem that's now going to save me 60% of my time for years," Bartlett said."

"Bartlett's point is that most people fall back on artificial constraints and traditions that keep them from pushing back. He cited innovators like fast-fashion company Zara and Bernard Sadow, a pioneer of the rolling suitcase, who challenged those conventions. Bartlett said that, as a result, he prioritizes hiring and has developed a Culture Test, which he turned into a company by the same name. He added on the podcast that he had spent "50% of my month on hiring.""

A scenario-based 35-question Culture Test prioritizes behavioral responses over academic grades to predict how candidates will act in specific situations. A key question asks why a supplier needs six weeks instead of accepting delays or postponement, rewarding candidates who challenge assumed constraints. Only about 7% choose to ask why. A small equipment investment resolved a production bottleneck and increased productivity. Challenging traditions and artificial constraints reveals innovative problem-solving and informs targeted hiring and culture assessment practices.

Read at Business Insider