How Do You Fight a Horse-Sized Duck?

The uniquely named HOW DO YOU FIGHT A HORSE-SIZED DUCK? by William Poundstone describes itself as “Secrets to Succeeding at Interview Mind Games and Getting the Job You Want.” Poundstone, a journalist who has written several other books (Head in the Cloud), divides this one into three parts: A Short History of Assessment; Mind Games; and Puzzles and Problem-Solving. As in his earlier work on interviewing, Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google?, Poundstone writes in an engaging, conversational manner and offers numerous hints, strategies, and rules.  For example, he encourages readers to remember that “problems posed in interviews are often easier than they appear; think several moves ahead [and] when all else fails, draw a picture.” I am excited to share this recent text and its many brainteasers with students – if only to further urge them to look at situations differently, to actively brainstorm, and to “think out of the box.”  Too often, they place an emphasis on finding a “right” answer when, particularly in early research stages, open minds and multiple perspectives are valuable. Poundstone echoes our work with students on critical thinking, building empathy, and creative problem-solving when he argues that “the most provocative and misunderstood [interview] questions are those that test 21st-century skills.”  Business or psychology students will also likely be interested in the afterword which touches upon confirmation bias and the role of failure in relation to innovation.