The drive to engage employees has brought about one perhaps unexpected benefit. Among the many fantastic outcomes, it has significantly increased CEO visibility. More chief executives are stepping out from behind closed doors to engage directly with staff across the organization. Whether it’s through online Q&As, virtual town hall meetings, or spontaneous chats at the water cooler, open communication is now a top leadership priority.
If you find yourself getting some valuable face time with your CEO, the last thing you want is to be caught off guard. Having a few thoughtful, strategic questions ready not only helps you make the most of the opportunity, it can also help you raise your profile and gain insightful guidance for your career development.
Here are the 55 best questions to ask a CEO, organized by theme so you’ll have the perfect one ready for any situation, from formal Q&As to casual hallway chats.
Corporate Culture
Company culture starts at the top. Asking your CEO questions about culture helps you understand what values the organization prioritizes and gives you direction on how to align your own professional behavior and goals. It also shows you’re invested in the company’s identity and growth. Dive deeper into the topic of company culture here.
Use the following questions at town hall meetings, roundtables, or internal Q&A sessions:
- What three words do you think summarize our company culture?
- In your opinion, what is the most crucial aspect of the corporate culture?
- What does an excellent workplace culture look like for you?
- What do you expect from employees?
- Is there an organization whose culture you admire?
- What actions do you think will improve our organization’s culture?
- What is the one thing you would change about the organization?
Company Goals
Understanding company goals is essential for aligning your own professional development with the broader vision. These questions can uncover future growth areas, training needs, and new opportunities. Showing interest in where the company is headed demonstrates your dedication and forward-thinking attitude.
This set of questions works well in public forums or company-wide events:
- What do you think are the biggest challenges we currently face?
- What can each of us do to help meet those challenges?
- What is our biggest strength right now?
- How do you plan to sustain our growth and success?
- What exciting projects are on the horizon for the business?
- What level of growth do you think we will achieve over the next five years?
- Thinking back five years, how does our current performance compare with where you thought we would be?
- What do you think makes us different from our competitors?
- How do you measure company success from a people perspective?
- What are your thoughts on how employees can contribute to success?
How Things Are Done
From employee engagement to leadership styles and communication, understanding how things are done internally gives you insight into the organization’s dynamics. The CEO’s strategic perspective reveals what’s valued most in team performance and leadership behavior.
Ask these questions at company-wide meetings or town halls:
- What do you think makes a team successful?
- What does a performance culture mean to you?
- In your opinion, what’s the best way to build a high-performing team?
- What do you think motivates employees to do their best?
- What do you think keeps workers happy and engaged?
- How do you listen to the workforce?
- How does the senior management team communicate with employees?
- How do you think the leadership team would describe your management style?
- What characteristics do you think leaders should have?
- What things do you think we need to improve as an organization?
- What company values do you think we are doing the best with?
- What values do we need to improve on?
Questions On The CEO’s Career
If you’re looking to advance your career, or even aim for the top yourself, learning directly from the CEO can be incredibly valuable. These questions reveal the personal journey, experiences, and challenges behind leadership success, offering inspiration and practical career insights.
Perfect for one-on-one settings like lunch with the CEO or a leadership development program:
- What was your career path to becoming a CEO?
- What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
- Why did you start or join this organization?
- What role models do you admire?
- What are your favorite and least favorite parts of the job?
- What’s your proudest achievement at work?
- What strategy helps you to perform your best?
- What motivates you when the going gets tough?
- What does a typical day look like for you?
- How do you manage the pressure and stress that comes with the job?
- What advice would you give to anyone wanting to improve their leadership skills?
- What’s your proudest achievement since becoming CEO?
- What’s your biggest learning since you took on the job?
Personal Questions To Ask A CEO
Remember, CEOs are people too. Connecting on a personal level can humanize your interaction and leave a lasting impression. If you cross paths in a casual setting like the break room or elevator, these questions are great icebreakers.
- How are you doing today?
- How do you relax?
- What things do you enjoy doing outside work?
- What was your first job?
- What gets you up in the morning?
Make The Right Impression Questions
When the opportunity arises, asking meaningful questions can help you make a great impression and show initiative. These questions demonstrate your willingness to grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s success.
Best suited for one-to-one meetings or performance discussions:
- What do I need to learn to contribute to the company?
- How can I make sure I am adding value to the business?
- What can I do in daily work to better align with the company vision?
- What skills or knowledge do I need to develop to meet our industry’s challenges?
- What do I need to get better at so I can be a CEO or run my own company one day?
- My career goals are a, b, and c. How do you think I can help the company reach its goals while also progressing in my career?
- What new skill do I need to learn?
- What’s the best career advice you received and why?
Questions To Ask A CEO: Top Tips
Having the ear of the CEO is a golden opportunity. However, it can also feel intimidating. These expert tips will help you make the most of your moment in the spotlight.
Be Prepared
Avoid awkward silences by preparing insightful questions in advance. Use a few of our examples as a springboard, but don’t overwhelm the CEO with a full list. Instead, treat your questions as conversation starters that spark meaningful dialogue, especially during intimate or small-group settings.
Ask The Right Question At The Right Time
Not every question suits every setting. A town hall meeting isn’t the right time to ask about your personal career path. Consider the context, the event’s formality, the audience size, and choose a few questions that are relevant and timely.
Have Some Answers Of Your Own
In smaller groups, CEOs may turn the tables and ask for your input. Be ready to share how you’re contributing to company goals or how you see yourself supporting the corporate culture. This shows initiative and engagement.
Be Enthusiastic And Interested
Maintain a positive attitude and show genuine curiosity. Avoid complaining or criticizing your managers or coworkers. Find a topic you’re genuinely excited about to help create an authentic connection. Just remember, don’t go overboard, most CEOs can spot flattery from a mile away.
Main Takeaways
Talking to the CEO is a rare chance to learn about the organization’s values, culture, and long-term strategy. It’s also a valuable moment to gain insights that could shape your future within or beyond the company.
Today’s CEOs are more visible and approachable than ever. If you get some precious face time, don’t waste it. Be prepared with relevant, well-thought-out questions to avoid getting tongue-tied. A smart question could lead to a personal connection, or even help you secure your dream promotion.
FAQs
What is the best question to ask a CEO?
The answer depends on the setting. In public forums like town halls, ask about company goals, strategy, or culture. In smaller, more intimate gatherings, feel free to explore more personal topics like career journeys or leadership philosophy.
What is a good question to ask an executive?
The best questions come from genuine curiosity. Executives quickly pick up on disingenuous or forced inquiries. In large events, stick to company-wide issues. During one-on-one chats, dive deeper into personal experiences or advice. Browse our curated list for context-appropriate inspiration.
What should I talk to my CEO about?
CEOs are human, too! Try asking about their hobbies or what they enjoy doing outside of work. Finding a shared interest can help build rapport and make the interaction more memorable.
What are good questions to ask a CEO at an all-hands meeting?
Stick to big-picture topics that affect the entire organization, think challenges, goals, and upcoming initiatives. Avoid department-specific questions unless they apply to everyone.
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