Expect the EXPECTED. Guest Author Barry Hoffman shares his insight.
Here are ten questions a leader should be totally prepared to answer at all times:
1. What is your budget for this year?
2. How are you tracking to your budget?
3. What are your primary objectives for this year and how are you tracking against them?
4. How many people do you have? [also by location or function]
5. How many _____ …..? [what you do, make, buy or sell, including latest pricing or costs or whatever are the primary measurements of your area].
6. How does that compare to last year?
7. How does that compare to other companies? [this common question is one you can always be prepared for by reading professional journals, published consultant studies or industry association publications]
8. Who are your sharpest people?
9. Are you ready for more responsibility and if so, what are some areas of the company that you would like to manage in addition to your present unit[s]?
10. What did you think of my ______? [the President’s latest speech, mission statement, article in the company newsletter, TV interview, etc.]
What are some ways that you can be prepared to answer these questions on the spot?