Q&A Sessions And All-Hands!

The Q&A sessions tend to be the most interesting phase at the end of the town hall/ all-hands.

These are indeed double-edged swords. On one hand you do not wish to see blank faces at the end of a good presentation with no questions at all. On the other hand, you do not wish to hear questions that will make your throat go dry.

Looking back, I realise that the most satisfying all-hands were the ones when people did ask some tough questions and I was able to ‘somehow’ field the curve balls (though sweating inside!).

I feel, it ultimately boils down to the amount of sincerity you attach while answering these questions. Try choosing to evade the question or blabber jargons and you would start seeing the eyes rolling.

I also feel it’s the best opportunity for the manager to earn trust. After all, it may not be the answers they are interested in but your intent in patiently answering them.

The post all-hands discussion (over samosas, chai) will reveal your perf rating for the day :).

My toughest curve balls were usually when person did not care about the answer. The ‘gang leader’ questions.

Want to look super cool and composed? Keep a mini water bottle handy :) and try avoiding “it’s a great question”… its kind of done and dusted :)