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@CandleRamen9 hours agoPoland
My brainstorm categories overlap a little. Is that automatically a bad structure?
- Brainstorming
I can usually generate good ideas, but some categories overlap at the edges. I end up spending too long trying to make the brainstorm perfectly MECE. How much does that matter?
Similar Questions
The interviewer keeps asking "anything else?" during brainstorming. How do I know when to stop?
- Brainstorming
In brainstorming questions I can usually get a few ideas out, but then the interviewer keeps asking "anything else?" I start adding weaker ideas because I assume they want more. How should I handle that?
Oct 7, 2026United States
Top answer
Mayank G.Coach
Mayank G.CoachDo not interpret every "anything else?" as a signal that your previous ideas were wrong.
How do I stop giving five versions of basically the same brainstorm idea?
- Brainstorming
I can usually come up with several ideas, but when I review my notes they are often just variations of the same theme. In a live case that makes my brainstorm sound repetitive even if I technically listed enough points. How do I force more variety without becoming random?
Sep 27, 2026United States
Top answerMayank G.Coach
Mayank G.CoachCreate distinct categories before generating ideas. If the categories are meaningfully different, the ideas inside them are less likely to repeat each other.
Is it okay to ask for 20 seconds before a brainstorming question?
- Brainstorming
When the interviewer asks me to brainstorm ideas, my instinct is to start talking immediately so there is no awkward silence. That usually means my first few ideas are random. Is it acceptable to pause for 15 or 20 seconds to structure the brainstorm first?
Sep 23, 2026France
Top answerMayank G.Coach
Mayank G.CoachYes. A short pause to organize your thinking is usually better than immediately giving an unstructured list of ideas.