• How to reply like a CEO?

    CEO CEOs in general have the innate ability to respond in such cryptic language that it leaves you wondering what the hell does it mean. Here is a quick list of typical CEO replies and also an explanation of what it actually means

    Situation - Somebody, say an investor, points out to the CEO that he is trying to do too many things at the same time
    CEO answer – We want to be a one stop solution in our domain
    What does it really mean – Senior management has no idea what will eventually work so they want to try out a lot of different thing.

    Situation - Somebody, again an investor, points out some very obvious features which are currently missing and should have been in the product.
    CEO answer – We are a alpha/beta version currently
    What does it really mean – I goofed up, Big Deal! Am not admitting it.

    Situation – You are in a meeting with your CEO and are audacious enough to point out something which is not working fine and needs to be improved
    CEO answer – Why don’t you own this?
    What does it really mean – Besides additional responsibility for you, it means that if ‘this’ gets screwed up you will be on the firing line.

    Situation – You have been doing your job well and are meeting your boss for your performance appraisal
    CEO answer – Take a strategic initiative. (Actually this one can be used by CEO in almost any situation / conversation)
    What does it really mean – People are still trying to figure this one out.

    I will keep on updating this list as and when I get bombarded with more CEO replies.

    Published on December 22, 2009 · Filed under: Career;
    3 Comments
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  • Sarika

    Really impressive!
    I have few more examples
    “You have done a great job”
    means
    “More work to be given to you”
    “We need to find out the real reason”
    means
    “Well I will tell you where your fault is”