What Does ‘Think Big’ Mean?
The leadership principle Think Big is about thinking outside the box. It means being ambitious and not setting limits on your goals and taking the risky option if you think it will pay off. It also means questioning assumptions and thinking creatively.
Long-Term Vision and Creative Problem Solving
Thinking big is about thinking of long-term results and thinking of new ideas. It is also about taking risks when it is appropriate and finding ways to solve big problems. Thinking big means coming up with a strategy to solve the problem and a vision of what the result should be.
Balancing Details with the Big Picture
Thinking big is also about balancing thinking about details and the bigger picture. You should be able to focus on the details but also look at months or even years in the future. It is about being able to look at the world in different ways.
Applicable to All Roles
This principle does not only apply to managers. People in any position can see the bigger picture. They just have to focus on a broader vision also instead of only looking deeply and analytically. To be successful, there should be a balance between both looking deeply and calculating the long-term results.
Amazon’s Definition of ‘Think Big’
The following quote is how Amazon describes the Think Big principle:
“Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. They think differently and look around corners for ways to serve customers.”
Characteristics of Those Who Think Big
People who think big will create risky plans that keep long-term results in mind, think and discuss the big picture, explore new possibilities and ideas, encourage risks, see issues as challenges, be positive, plan ahead, and be fearless and creative.
Interview Preparation: How to Demonstrate ‘Think Big’
In an interview, you should show that you can take risks and think of the bigger picture without losing sight of details. You should demonstrate that you can think outside the box and solve problems in creative and unusual ways that work well.
Sample Interview Questions for ‘Think Big’
- When was a time you took a calculated risk?
- Tell me about a time when you decided to take a huge risk, and the results were not good. What lesson did you learn from it and what would you have done differently if you had to do it again now?
- Give an example of a time when you did extra for a project and delivered on time.
- How do you ensure that you don’t get lost in small details and lose the big picture?
- When did you think differently than others to improve something that was already working?
- Give an example of an unusual and creative approach you suggested to solve a problem. Why did you feel you needed to think about the problem differently? Did your approach succeed?
- Tell me about a time when you worked on a project or goal and realized that you could turn it into something bigger than the original goal.
- When was a time you looked at a process that was working well and had no problems, but you still challenged the idea that it was the best one? Did you decide to change it in the end?
What to Emphasize in Your Answers
When answering interview questions like those about the Think Big principle, you should show your ambition and ability to take on the most risky projects while looking to the future for the next challenge. You should show that you are willing to take risks, but only if you calculate them to be necessary and demonstrate your ability to look ahead to see the bigger picture instead of just details and short-term results when you make big decisions.