TRAPS:  Seems like an obvious enough question.  Yet many executives, unprepared for it, fumble the ball.

BEST ANSWER:  Give a well-accepted definition of success that leads right into your own stellar collection of achievements.

Example:  “The best definition I’ve come across is that success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.”

“As to how I would measure up to that definition, I would consider myself both successful and fortunate…”(Then summarize your career goals and how your achievements have indeed represented a progressive path toward realization of your goals.)