Four Ways Business Leaders Can Use ‘Debate Prep’ For High Stakes Appearances

Debate prep isn’t just for presidential candidates. Business leaders should try it, too.

While polls and pundits are focused on the first debate of the 2024 presidential election, business leaders can learn a valuable lesson that applies directly to them: high-stakes appearances require high-level preparation.

As a CEO communication coach, I’ve been invited behind the scenes to help prepare senior executives for a wide range of stakeholder interactions:

• Employee town hall gatherings.
• Television and media interviews.
• Analyst or shareholder meetings.

In any of these scenarios, executives should expect to get tough questions. Why, then, do so many leaders seem to be caught off guard? In my experience, their lackluster responses reflect a lack of rigorous preparation. However, those who prepare effectively—and make it a priority—come across as competent, confident, and ready to lead.

An effective preparation strategy includes the following.

1. Focus on the story you want to tell.

A solid preparation routine must begin with the story you want to tell. Ask yourself, What is the one key message I want my audience to take away from the [presentation, interview, appearance]?

Once you identify the main message, practice simplifying it to a sentence or two, and plan to repeat it at least twice in your appearance. Audiences don’t have the energy or the patience to sift through convoluted themes. Stick to one message people will remember.

2. Find role players.

Most presidential candidates who prepare to take the national debate stage identify someone to play the role of their opponent. For example, former Barack Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau said he prepared his boss by staging ‘mock debates,’ complete with stand-ins for the opponents he would be facing. The role players would take on the personality and attitude of the opponent they were pretending to be.

Find a role player. If you’re going to be on CNBC, identify a trusted peer to play the role of the host who anchors the show. If you’re preparing for an analyst meeting after a difficult quarter, identify someone who has the knowledge to play the role of a skeptical analyst. Encourage them to try to throw you off your game with difficult or uncomfortable questions.

Mock role-playing works.

3. Make it feel real.

Presidential candidates prepare in studios that are built to resemble the actual room or stage where the debate will take place. And so should you. Making it feel real is critical to building confidence.

For example, if you’re preparing for a televised interview, set up hot lights that make you sweat. If it’s a virtual interview, put yourself on Zoom and have someone ask you tough questions remotely.

‘Set the stage’ so that it mirrors the real thing.

4. Use video to review the session.

If you’re practicing on Zoom, hit ‘record.’ Watch the mock interview and look for distracting habits. For example, you might notice that instead of answering questions directly to the camera, you dart your eyes, which makes you look defensive or uncomfortable.

Use video feedback to see how you’re coming across. It’s as easy as putting a smartphone on a tripod and pressing “record.” You might be surprised at the bad habits you spot, or the large number of filler words like ‘ah’ and ‘um’ that you can quickly eliminate.

Take the time to vigorously prepare for mission-critical or high-stakes discussions. Effective preparation will build your confidence and improve your executive presence.