Every month I send out a broadcasting tip to clients and colleagues. Usually it’s something I wish someone would have told me early in my career because it would have saved me a lot of frustration. I keep colleagues on the email list, if they want, just to stay in touch. So here’s the gist of what I sent out for this month:
“To listen well is as powerful a means of influence as to talk well, and is as essential to all true conversation.” Chinese Proverb
There are two “secrets” to conducting a good interview. It doesn’t matter whether you’re talking to a recording artist, a local business owner, a radio station client or a politician – the approach is the same.
1. Over prepare. Know your subject as well as you possibly can and create a list of questions.
2. Listen. You might pick up on something that leads you in a new and interesting direction that you haven’t thought of before. It may take you “off the page” you’ve prepared but that’s okay! Stay in the moment and truly hear what’s being said. Don’t be afraid to take a little risk!
Interviewing well is a skill that takes time to develop. Be ready and stay flexible!
The art of hearing, the world is filled with good listeners, but there are very few good hearers who can truly identify and understand what is being said. As someone who as developed an expertise in this area over the past few decades, the reason for so few good hearers is that the majority of people become easily distracted or fixated on what they see and this strong influence automatically disables the capacity to actively and truly hear. Listening is a given, the ability to effectively hear is a skill you need to develop.
Well, I think it’s the other way around. Most people can hear but few truly listen! 🙂
Actually, do you hear the words and listen to the meaning behind them, or do you listen to the words and hear the meaning behind them? Its the latter which is true, for you can’t listen to the intent or tone of what is being said but you can hear it!