7 interview lessons from kids

Spokespeople can take some cues from children on how to deal with journalists and tirelessly—even relentlessly—get their key messages across.

Ragan Insider Premium Content
Ragan Insider Content

Training becomes necessary when a spokesperson has to face the media on a regular basis.

If you are a spokesperson and face journalists often, you might have thought about training for media interactions, such as interviews on TV, print interviews, radio sound bites, podcasts, and public speaking opportunities. Formal training can help you in your interviews and prepare you for difficult questions.

Interviews can be rough or smooth, informative or challenging, positive or negative, painful or rewarding. Sometimes they become the best few minutes of your life; it depends on how well you handled the interview and how well you were able to direct the discussion in your favor.

The common perception is that the interview’s outcome completely depends on the host or the interviewer, which is not true. Spokespersons have more control over their interviews than they realize.

I picked up pointers from my own children recently while we were out eating and having fun. It is incredible as to how adults can communicate their messages if they communicated more like children.

Confidence is a child’s middle name. Are you confident enough to lead your interviews?

To read the full story, log in.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today

Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.