Design Thinking, Engineering Mindset, and Leadership: Lessons from the Marshmallow Challenge

If youโ€™ve ever participated in the Marshmallow Challenge, you know itโ€™s more than just an exercise in building a tall structure. Itโ€™s a test of collaboration, adaptability, and strategic thinkingโ€”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 donโ€™t get comfortable but continue honing our adaptability, leadership, and teamworkโ€”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 approachesโ€”design thinking vs. engineering thinkingโ€”apply to leadership and innovation.

The Marshmallow Challenge was our first exercise together, and it was the perfect icebreakerโ€”allowing us to assess each otherโ€™s strengths, experiment with different approaches, and establish a rhythm for working together. It reinforced that great teams arenโ€™t just built on skill but on communication, trust, and the ability to leverage each personโ€™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:

  1. Marshmallow First โ€“ Some teams started by placing the marshmallow on top early, testing its impact throughout the process.
  2. Marshmallow Last โ€“ 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 prototypingโ€”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:
โœ… We focused on building a solid base with layers of reinforcement.
โœ… We anticipated the final weight of the marshmallow, ensuring stability.
โœ… We divided tasks efficiently, trusted each other, and executed without micromanagement.

This mirrors a strategic leadership mindsetโ€”one where you donโ€™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.

  1. Strong Foundations Matter
    Just like in engineering, businesses and teams thrive when they have strong structuresโ€”whether thatโ€™s a solid team culture, clear processes, or a well-thought-out strategy. You canโ€™t scale chaos.
  2. Think Long-Term, But Stay Adaptable
    While we followed a structured approach, we also stayed flexible, adjusting as needed. The best leaders donโ€™t just stick to a rigid plan; they adapt based on real-time feedback.
  3. Collaboration & Trust Are Key
    Our success wasnโ€™t just about the designโ€”it was about how well we worked together. We listened, divided tasks, and trusted each personโ€™s role. A high-performing team is one where everyone contributes without ego.
  4. 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.

Whatโ€™s Your Leadership Approach?

The Marshmallow Challenge may seem like a fun exercise, but itโ€™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 wrongโ€”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 isnโ€™t just about building something tallโ€”itโ€™s about building something that stands strong.


Would love to hear your thoughtsโ€”do you approach problem-solving like a designer or an engineer?

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