You're presenting to the CEO closer to a product release and what you present mismatches their expectations, what do you do?

The essence of this question lies in assessing your ability to handle crises, manage expectations, effectively communicate, and possibly influence others. It tests your skill and composure in handling situations where the output or result does not conform to the set expectations, especially in high-stake scenarios like presenting to the CEO. A good answer should demonstrate:

1. Your ability to stay calm under pressure.
2. Your willingness to take responsibility and be accountable.
3. Your excellent communication and negotiation skills.
4. Your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.

"In such a scenario, the first thing I'd do is to keep my composure and acknowledge the discrepancy. Brushing over or ignoring the mismatch would be counterproductive. I'll express regret for the mismatch and suggest a way to reconcile the difference. For instance, I'll propose a revised course of action, which involves incorporating the CEO's expectations, re-adjusting the plans accordingly and setting a new release date. I'll also make it a point to discuss the situation personally with the CEO afterwards, in order to fully understand their expectations, apologize for the oversight and assure them of a rectification. Finally, I'll initiate a review process to monitor the project closely and avoid similar occurrences in the future."

"If I find myself in such a situation, I would remind the CEO that product development is an iterative and flexible process. Explaining why the product has evolved in a certain way, and how it can still meet the company's objectives or how it provides an unexpected but promising opportunity could be a good strategy. Getting defensive or arguing would not help the situation but creating a constructive conversation can provide an opportunity for progress. On the reflection side, maybe the discrepancy rose as the CEO was not updated regularly on the product development. I'd ensure to improve on communication frequency and details moving forward."