Most people prepare answers for meetings.
Great leaders anticipate questions.
A habit I developed working with C-suite leaders:
Before any interaction, I prep for 3 to 5 likely questions.
Here’s what I consider:
↳ What’s top of mind for them right now?
↳ What are the key priorities of the business?
↳ What are they likely to ask?
And just as important:
↳ What have they challenged before?
↳ Where do they usually push?
↳ What matters most to them?
Because in high-stakes moments, you’re not evaluated on answers alone.
You’re evaluated on how you think.
That got tested earlier in my career.
First week at a new company.
The President’s assistant called:
“He wants to meet. Right now.”
I asked if there was a topic.
“No.”
30 seconds on the elevator.
No context. No idea what was coming.
So I defaulted to the one thing I could control:
Reflecting on what questions he might ask.
I walked in.
He dropped the print publication on the desk.
First question:
“Why do we need this?”
In that moment, I realized:
This wasn’t about print.
It was a test.
↳ Could I stay calm?
↳ Think clearly?
↳ Respond with intention?
That moment shaped everything that followed.
He stopped testing.
He started trusting.
Five years later, as he prepared to leave,
he came to my office to practice his farewell speech.
Even then, his focus was on the team.
How to lift them up.
How to position them.
How to leave them better.
That stayed with me.
If you want to communicate better under pressure:
Don’t just prepare answers.
Anticipate the questions.
What questions do you prepare for ahead of big meetings?
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