20 Questions

Questions to Ask CEO of Your Company

Essential questions to help you understand the CEO's vision, engage with company leadership, and gain insights into organizational direction and strategy.

1

What's your vision for the company's future and where do you see us in 5 years?

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Why this works

Reveals strategic direction and helps you understand the CEO's long-term vision and where they want to take the company.

2

What are the company's biggest challenges and how are we addressing them?

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Why this works

Shows current priorities and helps you understand what obstacles the company is facing and how leadership is working to overcome them.

3

What are the company's key initiatives and what impact do you expect them to have?

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Why this works

Reveals strategic focus and helps you understand what the company is working on and what results leadership expects to achieve.

4

What are your views on our company culture and how do you want it to evolve?

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Why this works

Shows culture focus and helps you understand how the CEO views company culture and what changes they want to see.

5

What are your thoughts on our competitive position and market opportunities?

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Why this works

Reveals market perspective and helps you understand how the CEO views the company's competitive position and market opportunities.

6

What are your views on innovation and how do you encourage it in the organization?

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Why this works

Shows innovation focus and helps you understand how the CEO approaches innovation and encourages it throughout the company.

7

What are your thoughts on employee development and career growth opportunities?

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Why this works

Reveals development focus and helps you understand how the CEO views employee development and career growth opportunities.

8

What are your views on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organization?

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Why this works

Shows DEI commitment and helps you understand how the CEO approaches diversity, equity, and inclusion in the company.

9

What are your thoughts on remote work and flexible work arrangements?

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Why this works

Reveals work arrangement views and helps you understand how the CEO approaches remote work and flexible arrangements.

10

What are your views on technology and digital transformation?

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Why this works

Shows technology focus and helps you understand how the CEO approaches technology and digital transformation initiatives.

11

What are your thoughts on customer focus and how do you ensure we're meeting their needs?

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Why this works

Reveals customer focus and helps you understand how the CEO ensures the company stays focused on customer needs.

12

What are your views on sustainability and corporate responsibility?

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Why this works

Shows sustainability focus and helps you understand how the CEO approaches sustainability and corporate responsibility.

13

What are your thoughts on risk management and how do you approach it?

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Why this works

Reveals risk approach and helps you understand how the CEO approaches risk management and decision-making.

14

What are your views on partnerships and strategic alliances?

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Why this works

Shows partnership approach and helps you understand how the CEO approaches partnerships and strategic alliances.

15

What are your thoughts on financial performance and growth strategies?

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Why this works

Reveals financial focus and helps you understand how the CEO approaches financial performance and growth strategies.

16

What are your views on communication and how do you keep employees informed?

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Why this works

Shows communication approach and helps you understand how the CEO approaches communication and keeping employees informed.

17

What are your thoughts on leadership development and succession planning?

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Why this works

Reveals leadership focus and helps you understand how the CEO approaches leadership development and succession planning.

18

What are your views on change management and organizational transformation?

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Why this works

Shows change approach and helps you understand how the CEO approaches change management and organizational transformation.

19

What are your thoughts on crisis management and how do you prepare for challenges?

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Why this works

Reveals crisis preparedness and helps you understand how the CEO approaches crisis management and preparation for challenges.

20

What advice would you give to employees who want to make a bigger impact in the company?

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Why this works

Shows employee development and helps you understand what advice the CEO has for employees who want to make a bigger impact.

Best Practices for CEO Engagement

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Focus on Strategic Vision

Ask questions that help you understand the CEO's strategic vision, priorities, and how they see the company's future direction.

Understand Company Culture

Ask about company culture, values, and how the CEO wants the organization to evolve and develop.

Explore Growth Opportunities

Ask about growth strategies, opportunities, and how employees can contribute to the company's success and development.

Question Sequences

The Strategic Vision Sequence

1
What's your vision for the company's future and where do you see us in 5 years?
2
What are the company's biggest challenges and how are we addressing them?
3
What are the company's key initiatives and what impact do you expect them to have?
4
What are your thoughts on our competitive position and market opportunities?

The Culture and Development Sequence

1
What are your views on our company culture and how do you want it to evolve?
2
What are your thoughts on employee development and career growth opportunities?
3
What are your views on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organization?
4
What advice would you give to employees who want to make a bigger impact in the company?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask About Personal Issues

Focus on business and company-related topics. Avoid asking about personal matters or issues unrelated to the company.

Don't Be Too Critical

While it's okay to ask about challenges, avoid being overly critical or negative. Focus on understanding and learning.

Don't Forget to Listen

Listen carefully to the CEO's responses and ask follow-up questions to deepen your understanding of their perspective.

Conversation Templates

The Strategic Vision Template

1
Step 1: Start with: "What's your vision for the company's future and where do you see us in 5 years?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What are the company's biggest challenges and how are we addressing them?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What are the company's key initiatives and what impact do you expect them to have?"
4
Step 4: Connect with: "What are your thoughts on our competitive position and market opportunities?"

The Culture and Development Template

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What are your views on our company culture and how do you want it to evolve?"
2
Step 2: Explore with: "What are your thoughts on employee development and career growth opportunities?"
3
Step 3: Understand with: "What are your views on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organization?"
4
Step 4: Learn with: "What advice would you give to employees who want to make a bigger impact in the company?"

Further Reading

"CEO Leadership Guide" by executive development resources
"Company Culture" by organizational development experts
"Strategic Planning" by business strategy consultants
"Employee Engagement" by HR professionals

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