Interviewing and coaching have some overlapping skills. I love my podcast interviews but recently I have found myself getting frustrated on my daily walks, podcast in ear, with the interviewers.
I can’t believe it when experienced hosts, some of them quite famous, continuously stack questions (asking several in a row), and will not let the guest answer until they’ve asked 3 or 4 different questions. Confusing! They can also ask long, convoluted questions that often confuse their guests as well.
I have in moments become aware I'm muttering to myself, out loud, ‘Will you let them speak, for goodness sake?!?!’, and then I sheepishly look around to make sure no one is in earshot.
So if all podcast and media interviewers can take on the following tips, that coaches in training are privy to, I can go back to my more peaceful daily walks 🙂
Top 3 tips
1. Get used to asking one question at time and only clarify if it's obvious there is confusion.
2. Wait a few seconds to let the person being interviewed process your question (that means getting more comfortable with silence).
3. Keep your questions succinct. Trust your question and your guest to make their own meaning and to share on whatever the question sparks for them.
If you have any tips to add to my top 3, I would love to hear them.
#communicationskills #activelistening #connectionmatters #coachingskills #mentorcoaching #podcastinterview #mediainterview #interviewing
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