Careers That Matter

“What does your job as [Guest's Title] actually entail?”

This is his standard opening move to get past the formal title and into the practical responsibilities of the role.

“On a day-to-day basis, what does your job actually look like?”

He asks this to move from high-level duties to the lived reality of the work, including daily routines.

“How many people are on your team or report directly to you?”

McNish uses this question to quickly establish the scale of the guest's management responsibilities.

“How much of your time is devoted to [a specific task, e.g., community engagement]?”

This question drills down into how an executive allocates their time, revealing their priorities.

“Can you walk me through the process of [a complex business task, e.g., buying a practice]?”

He uses this to break down a complex career or business step for the audience's practical understanding.

“When you add it all up, how many hours a week are you working?”

A very direct question to quantify the personal time commitment required for the guest's position.

“With such long hours, how do you find balance with your family?”

Often follows up on questions about workload to explore the personal side of a demanding career.

“Where did you go to high school?”

This is McNish's consistent pivot point, marking the transition from discussing the present to exploring the guest's origin story.

“When you graduated high school, did you know this is what you wanted to do?”

He asks this to explore the guest's early ambitions and the linearity (or lack thereof) of their career path.

“What and where did you study at university?”

This continues the chronological rewind, tracing the guest's formal education and early choices.

“For a major step like that, where does the money come from?”

A direct, practical question about the financial side of a significant career or business move.

“Did you ever experience self-doubt or imposter syndrome in your roles?”

Probes the guest's mindset and the personal challenges faced during their career journey.

“What have you discovered about yourself that has been key to your success?”

This is a signature concluding question, asking for a moment of personal reflection that doubles as advice.

“What's next for you in your career?”

A forward-looking question to understand the guest's future ambitions beyond their current role.