Can you Solve the Candle Problem?
In 1945, psychologist Karl Duncker’s cognitive performance test — The Candle Problem — was published as a task designed to measure the influence of functional fixedness [rigid rules & regulations] on a participant’s problem solving capabilities.
The participant is provided with a table placed up against a wall, a candle, and a book of matches and a box of wall tacks. Using these items the participant is then asked to secure the candle to the wall, light it and ensure that none of the wax drops on the table below.
How would you proceed?
Before continuing — see if you can come up with a solution to the candle problem.
On the surface this problem is packaged like many of the issues we face as leaders on a day to day basis: We are given a set of resources designed to solve a dated problem or designed to function in a manner that is not right-fitted to our specific needs. This consequently, leads most to believe that the problems that arise in a fast paced competitive work environment are insurmountable.
Making the candle problem a prime example of the type of thinking 21st Century leaders are required to possess:
So… what’s the solution?
