suddenly the question now was rewarding a perverse kind of conformity—conformity to the proper level of contrarianism—rather than the true contrarianism it was supposed to ferret out.

“We have all committed mistakes in the workplace, as have I. What is an example of a mistake you have committed but did not come to regret for a long time?”

As you present your questions and listen to the candidate’s stories in response, note whether the interviewee uses unusual expressions, seems to be coining their own phrases, explains basic concepts in a way different from what you might hear in the mainstream, speaks as if they are developing useful memes, has unusual rhythmic patterns to their

“How do you think this interview is going?”

“How did you spend your morning today?” •“What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from another human?” •“What’s something weird or unusual you did early on in life?” •“What’s a story one of your references might tell me when I call them?” •“If I was the perfect Netflix, what type of movies would I recommend for you and why?” •“How do you feel you are

Daniel recalls that he first learned from Tyler this question for prospective hires: “What is it you do to practice that is analogous to how a pianist practices scales?”

“What have you achieved that is unusual for your peer group?”

“How ambitious are you?”

“What criteria would you use for hiring?”