If you’ve ever participated in the Marshmallow Challenge, you know it’s more than just an exercise in building a tall structure. It’s a test of collaboration, adaptability, and strategic thinking—all essential skills for leadership and innovation.
The Broad MBA: A Masterclass in Teamwork and Leadership
One of the things I appreciate about the Broad MBA at Michigan State University is how it is structured to intentionally develop teamwork, leadership, and collaboration skills.
Each semester, we are placed in new teams, ensuring that we continuously adapt to different working styles, personalities, and problem-solving approaches. This dynamic environment mirrors the real-world corporate setting, where leaders must navigate diverse teams and build trust quickly.
This constant rotation of teams in the MBA is challenging but invaluable, as it ensures we don’t get comfortable but continue honing our adaptability, leadership, and teamwork—skills that are essential for any business leader navigating a fast-changing world.
As I step into my second semester, I got assigned a new team, which means a fresh opportunity to learn, collaborate, and refine my leadership style.
The Two Approaches: Design Thinking vs. Engineering Thinking
Recently, we had the opportunity to take part in the Marshmallow challenge, and our team won by a mile, with a 28-inch structure that was completed with almost 8 minutes still on the clock (we had 20 minutes to do this), and stood strong until the end. But beyond the win, what fascinated me most was the decision-making process that determined success or failure. The challenge became a perfect metaphor for how different problem-solving approaches—design thinking vs. engineering thinking—apply to leadership and innovation.
The Marshmallow Challenge was our first exercise together, and it was the perfect icebreaker—allowing us to assess each other’s strengths, experiment with different approaches, and establish a rhythm for working together. It reinforced that great teams aren’t just built on skill but on communication, trust, and the ability to leverage each person’s strengths effectively.
One of the key takeaways from the exercise was the different ways teams approached the problem. The instructor asked how teams made their initial decisions:
- Marshmallow First – Some teams started by placing the marshmallow on top early, testing its impact throughout the process.
- Marshmallow Last – Others (like my team) built the foundation first, ensuring a strong structure before adding the marshmallow at the end.
This distinction is actually deeply rooted in real-world innovation strategies.
- Design Thinking (Marshmallow First):
- Prioritizes iteration and real-time testing.
- Encourages rapid prototyping—failing fast, learning, and adjusting.
- Ideal for uncertain environments like startups or product innovation, where quick feedback loops help refine solutions.
- Engineering Thinking (Marshmallow Last):
- Focuses on building strong foundations before stress-testing the final structure.
- Relies on logical planning, precise execution, and structured problem-solving.
- Works best in high-stakes environments (construction, infrastructure, business scaling), where stability and long-term viability matter.
Why Our Approach Worked: The Power of Strategic Execution
Our team chose the engineering-first approach, and it worked because:
✅ We focused on building a solid base with layers of reinforcement.
✅ We anticipated the final weight of the marshmallow, ensuring stability.
✅ We divided tasks efficiently, trusted each other, and executed without micromanagement.
This mirrors a strategic leadership mindset—one where you don’t just react to problems in real time but plan with the end goal in mind, ensuring sustainability.
Lessons for Leadership and Innovation
What does this have to do with leadership? Everything.
- Strong Foundations Matter
Just like in engineering, businesses and teams thrive when they have strong structures—whether that’s a solid team culture, clear processes, or a well-thought-out strategy. You can’t scale chaos. - Think Long-Term, But Stay Adaptable
While we followed a structured approach, we also stayed flexible, adjusting as needed. The best leaders don’t just stick to a rigid plan; they adapt based on real-time feedback. - Collaboration & Trust Are Key
Our success wasn’t just about the design—it was about how well we worked together. We listened, divided tasks, and trusted each person’s role. A high-performing team is one where everyone contributes without ego. - Innovation Requires Both Planning & Experimentation
The best companies blend design and engineering thinking. Startups iterate fast (marshmallow first), but scaling businesses need sustainable structures (marshmallow last). The key is knowing when to switch between the two.
What’s Your Leadership Approach?
The Marshmallow Challenge may seem like a fun exercise, but it’s a perfect analogy for leadership and innovation. Are you someone who prioritizes quick iterations to learn fast, or do you prefer to build solid foundations first?
Neither approach is wrong—it depends on the context. The best leaders know when to experiment like a designer and when to execute like an engineer.
For me, this challenge reinforced that collaboration, strategic thinking, and execution make all the difference. And perhaps, in leadership as in innovation, success isn’t just about building something tall—it’s about building something that stands strong.
Would love to hear your thoughts—do you approach problem-solving like a designer or an engineer?
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