On Cue with Kafui Dey: The art of answering tough questions in the boardroom

If you’ve ever sat in a boardroom, you know it’s not always about biscuits, bottled water, and PowerPoint slides. At some point, someone will clear their throat, lean forward with a knowing smile, and ask that dreaded thing: a tough question.

And make no mistake—tough questions in the boardroom are like surprise exam questions in secondary school. You either impress everyone with a genius answer, or you mumble something vague about “further stakeholder engagement” and watch the room grow colder than an Accra office in December when the AC is set to Arctic.

So, how do you master the art of answering tough questions without breaking into a sweat that even your expensive suit can’t hide? Let’s break it down.

Stay calm—even if your brain wants to run away

Tough questions have a way of triggering panic. But here’s the trick: boardrooms are theatres, and you are on stage. If you stay calm, you look in control. If you panic, you look like that generator that sputters and dies just when everyone needs light.

Pro tip: Take a sip of water, breathe, and let your face say, “I’ve got this,” even if your brain is screaming, “We’re finished!”

Buy time like a pro

Sometimes the real problem isn’t that you don’t know the answer—it’s that you need a few seconds to arrange your thoughts. This is where the fine art of “buying time” comes in.

You could say:

• “That’s an excellent question. Let me frame my response carefully.”
• “I’m glad you raised that—it’s something we’ve been thinking deeply about.”

Translation: Please give me five seconds to find the nearest lifeboat.

Answer the question behind the question

In many boardrooms, a tough question isn’t always about the words. It’s about the worry, the politics, or the money behind those words.

When someone asks, “Are we really ready to expand into East Africa?” they may not be asking about Nairobi or Kampala. They might be asking: “Are we financially stable enough for this leap?” or “Will my job still be here next year?”

Learn to hear the unspoken. If you respond to the deeper concern, you win trust—not just applause.

Use data… and stories

Numbers impress. Stories persuade. A masterful boardroom answer blends the two.

Example:
“Yes, our customer base has grown by 18% in the last quarter. And to put a face to it, last week a client in Lagos told me she’s recommending us to all her suppliers because of our reliability.”

Data gives credibility; stories give heart. Together, they silence doubters faster than a power cut in mid-sentence.

Be honest—but smart

Sometimes the correct answer is: We don’t know yet. The key is to pair honesty with a path forward.

Bad: “We don’t know.”
Good: “We don’t have the full data yet, but our team is running pilots in Accra and Kigali, and results are promising. We’ll present them at the next meeting.”

Honesty builds respect. But honesty with direction builds leadership.

Wrap up with confidence

Every answer, no matter how shaky in the middle, should end strong. Board members don’t just remember what you said—they remember how you said it.

So, finish with a sentence that signals confidence:

• “And that’s why I believe this strategy positions us for long-term growth.”
• “Which is why I’m confident we’re ready to take this next step.”

Confidence is contagious. Even if your answer wasn’t perfect, they’ll believe you if you believe yourself.

Final word

The art of answering tough questions in the boardroom isn’t about having a script for every scenario. It’s about composure, clarity, and the courage to be real while still steering the ship.

Remember: boardrooms across Africa—from Johannesburg to Lagos to Accra—are full of sharp minds and sharper questions. If you can answer with calm, context, and confidence, you’ll not only survive—you’ll thrive.

And who knows? You might even get the last biscuit on the boardroom table.

>>>Kafui Dey is a TV presenter, Corporate MC and public speaking trainer. Contact him on 233 240 299 122 or  [email protected]

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