Thanks to all of you who replied to my question. Another recurring theme that I hear is "be able to explain the maneuvers". Some even stress that it (the CFI/MEI checkride) is more about the instructor's ability to communicate and teach, than anything else.

I am a college professor by profession and I get very good reviews from my students. It is because that I and organized and show empathy when I teach (Economics). Will this give me any sort of edge, or would it seem to arrogant if I even mention it during the checkride? I wonder if the same teching techniques in the classroom can work when presenting, for example, a VMC demonstration.