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![Approach & Methodology](../gfx/red-approach.gif) |
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One
of the basic rules in all our cultures is this people dont
talk to strangers about things that really matter.
Its forbidden.
Which is why so many interviews are nothing more than
words, revealing nothing, signifying nothing, going nowhere.
Good
interviewing is based on four essential elements. all of them aimed
at getting people to talk from the heart about things that matter.
- The interviewer builds a relationship a cocoon
with the interviewee to enable the two of them to ignore the
outside world and talk openly and honestly together.
- The interviewer gives edge challenge
to the interviewee, helping the interviewee delve inside and talk from
the heart.
- The interviewer gives to get.
- The interviewer asks simple, human, caring, respectful,
open questions.
When
it comes to great interviewing, there are, of course, a whole lot of other,
more general, guidelines. The best interviewer:
- Researches thoroughly.
- Mostly travels chronologically in the journey of discovery.
- Knows the start, the direction and the intended destination.
Doesnt necessarily know the exact route.
- Asks simple, probing questions in simple, spoken, language.
- Asks one question at a time.
- Interviews, wherever possible, in the appropriate location
for the story.
- When appropriate, has the interviewee doing something
while talking something the interviewee would be doing anyway.
Take advantage of real life. Dont interrupt real life for interviews.
- Responds physically and emotionally while listening.
- Treats the powerful and the powerless with the same
respect.
- Is vulnerable, warm and generous.
- Uses a tone of genuine, human interest.
- Helps people who need help particularly the
old, the young, the uneducated and people who have difficulty with the
language.
- Seeks and draws out specifics, not generalities.
- Encourages illustrative stories.
- Rarely takes notes into the interview.
- Doesnt show off research, knowledge or intelligence.
- Doesnt compete with the interviewee for air time.
- Never precedes a question with phrases like "can
I ask you?" or (unless the question is exceedingly delicate) "can
you tell me ...?" If the interviewer cant ask and the interviewee
cant tell theres not much point in the interview.
- As a servant of the people, asks questions the viewer
the third person in the discussion would ask.
- Listens. Listens. Listens.
How
We Train is available as an Acrobat
document.
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Last
Revision:
March 17, 2002
© 2002, tim knight + associates
Email: Tim Knight Email: Webmaster
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