What to do with 5 cups of water and 6 leaders? Recently, there has been a lot of discussion on social media about this interview question. 

So how should one answer this? Let me explain. This is a question that tests your reaction and attitude towards handling situations. There have been various interesting responses from netizens such as, "Apologize to the leaders and punish myself by drinking the fifth cup," or "Ask my dad to fire one leader," and even "Pour the water on my own head to entertain the leaders.

" However, apart from these humorous answers, many responses reflect different workplace thinking. Stephen R. Covey, author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," once said, "Personal effectiveness is a product of our habits of thinking." The thinking behind each answer determines one's future in the workplace. 

The first type of response is to place each cup between two leaders, making it their problem. This may seem clever, but it ultimately passes the problem onto the leaders, which is highly undesirable in a mature workplace. Some problems may not seem difficult to you, but when placed in front of leaders, they become significant issues. Therefore, it is essential to discuss and address problems directly in the workplace rather than try to shift blame.

The second response is to quickly go and fetch another cup. This is the most straightforward solution. However, many job seekers hesitate because they fear the leaders will notice the missing cup and think they are not detail-oriented. In reality, leaders are more concerned with progress and deadlines.

The third response is to inform the leaders about the benefits of drinking bottled water during the pandemic and replace the cups with bottles. This solution is considered the most clever and practical as it not only solves the problem but also avoids any awkwardness. Understanding the underlying needs and providing a solution that is not limited to conventional thinking is crucial.

The final response is to question the company's management if such a small issue can become a problem. While this may seem impulsive, it highlights potential shortcomings in the management level that need to be addressed. It is essential to recognize that surface-level problems may have deeper underlying causes. 

In conclusion, different answers have their merits. Don't feel discouraged if you didn't think of a particular response. Each person has their own thinking patterns, and it is important to be open-minded and learn from others' perspectives when faced with problems. The key is to maximize resources and strive for the best possible outcome.