Succeeding in Executive Assessments

At the executive level, many leaders are surprised to be asked to complete psychometric tests or video assessments, but they are becoming standard in senior hiring. Boards and executive teams use them to reduce risk by assessing not just technical capability, but cultural fit, emotional intelligence, and leadership style under pressure. These tools can include leadership assessments, situational judgement scenarios, and AI-analysed video interviews that evaluate tone, pace, body language, and confidence.

Preparation is about authenticity and structure. In psychometric testing, trying to game the system creates inconsistencies that raise red flags. In video or scenario-based assessments, how you communicate matters just as much as what you say. Framing your responses the way you would brief a CEO or a board, leading with a clear headline, followed by context and implications, helps you come across as decisive and credible. Non-verbal signals also play a role, from posture to eye contact and pacing.

These tools are filters, not final judges. They do not replace human decision making, but they do shape first impressions. When approached with emotional readiness and confidence, they become another opportunity to reinforce your leadership brand rather than a hurdle to overcome.

Practical tip
Before completing an assessment or video interview, do a short practice run. Record yourself answering a few structured questions so you can check your clarity, pacing, and body language before the real session.

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