I was always wondering – how come the guests on the interviews / in panel discussions are so smart?
Quick to answer even the most challenging questions. Able to add insights. Making connections I would never have thought of. Especially when in front of a large audience or on camera.
And then one day:
I was invited to an interview. Suddenly I was able to answer even the most challenging questions, add insights and make connections.
Spoiler alert: It was not because I got smarter.
I got the questions ahead of time.
Takeaways:
- Preparation is everything (Winston Churchill even supposedly said “I’m just preparing my impromptu remarks”).
- If someone looks really smart, maybe it’s not they’re genius, just that they know how to look really smart.
- When invited for a panel discussion or an interview: Ask for the questions in advance.
Lukas Liebich 
I am very astonished. As far as I’ Experienced it, that is not the way it is usually done. For TV shows for example the scope of questions and your take on a problem are discussed beforehand. Not the questions themselves.
I would also not advise to prepare in such a manner. Extra questions might throw some (not you off). I actually got some clients because that happened to them.
Warmest
Friederike