High profile executives are often called to testify before Congress to either draw upon their expertise or defend their actions during a scandal. While there is no experience quite like appearing before Congress, there are a number of steps executives can take to prepare, according to the Harvard Business Review.
Here are three things to know.
1. There are hundreds of Congressional hearings per year, which has actually created a specialty industry of advisers who can be contracted to help executives prepare for their testimony.
2. One common mistake many executives make is acting as if they are the smartest person in the room. Humility and honesty will get executives much farther in the eyes of members of Congress, along with thorough preparation.
3. Preparation for Congressional hearings differs significantly from an average deposition or trial, and executives should be more highly attuned to what information members of Congress are looking for. Executives should not be confrontational and understand that members of Congress get the first and last words.
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