Some of the most important showdowns directors and executives face are against people with microphones who are not members of the media. Ask Hillary Rodham Clinton, who faced tough questions during congressional testimony on the Benghazi attack. Depending on your point of view, members of Congress sought the truth or to score political points.
Your job is not secretary of state, but some people we media train testify before state and local governments, which make key decisions about money and regulations. Would you deliver a prepared statement? How would you handle controversial questions? Would you acknowledge mistakes? What if a state politician turned confrontational? Would you be combative?
Don’t restrict media training to media opportunities. Politicians can put on the pressure. They sometimes place you in a trickier position than the media.