How not to interview 23 February, 2006
BBC Radio sports presenter Steve May provides a perfect example of the dangers of asking closed and leading questions in this Real Media clip from the Today programme. He’s the architect of his own downfall when all his interviewee can answer is ‘yes’.
I remember listening to this cycling to work and laughing out loud. It shows that even the pros struggle sometimes. If you find yourself doing more of the talking than your interviewee, then it’s probably time to start asking some open questions: how do you do that? can you tell me about a time when this happened? or in Steve’s case, where can I find a refresher about open questions?