Stephen H Baum Leadership

CEO GAFF AVOIDANCE

Anyone watching the presidential campaign must wonder how the mind works just before a gaff. There certainly have been enough of them by both Republicans and Democrats. One hopes that a CEO has accumulated by experience far more knowledge than the politicians in their briefings (apparently their major source of learning).

What do CEOs think just before they make a remark to a large internal audience? an appearance on a tv show? How do they stave off most gaffs?

There are three approaches I have observed:

1. Make a positive response first (e.g., “That question is particularly relevant because…..”)

2. Ask a question before giving an answer (e.g., “Are you focusing particularly on _______?” or “Did you mean that narrowly the way you said it or more broadly?”; at a minimum, confirm your understanding of the question.

3. “I think about that question this way (re-define the question in a way that makes more sense to you)”

Such responses usually buy enough time for a thoughtful response. This also has good effect in business situations.

In public appearances, as a last resort, the politician’s response may be appropriate: provide a pre-defined answer to a similar question and move on.  Most CEOs have prepared for any such appearances, anticipating what will be asked and what they wish convey and staying on message.

That’s just my view. What’s yours?

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