5.3 Handling Difficult Interviewees and Situations

Interviewing athletes and coaches can be challenging, especially when dealing with difficult personalities or sensitive topics. Preparation is key to handling uncooperative interviewees, navigating controversial subjects, and maintaining composure during confrontations.

Adapting your questioning techniques to different communication styles is crucial for successful interviews. By understanding and tailoring your approach to each individual, you can create a more comfortable environment and elicit more insightful responses from your subjects.

Managing Uncooperative Interviewees

Preparation and Building Rapport

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• Preparation is key when dealing with difficult interviewees
  • Research the individual's background, recent performances, and any known issues or controversies to anticipate potential challenges
  • This allows you to craft questions that are relevant and sensitive to their situation
• Establish rapport and trust by beginning with neutral, non-threatening questions and actively listening to responses
  • This can help create a more comfortable atmosphere for the interviewee
  • Examples of neutral questions include asking about their journey to the sport or their favorite moments in their career
• Use open-ended questions that require more than a simple yes or no answer
  • Encourages the interviewee to provide more detailed and insightful responses
  • Example: "Can you describe how you felt during that crucial moment in the game?" instead of "Were you nervous during the game?"

Handling Evasiveness and Uncooperativeness

• If an interviewee is being evasive, rephrase questions or approach the topic from a different angle to elicit a more substantive response
  • This demonstrates adaptability and persistence in getting the information you need
  • Example: If asking about a controversial play, approach it from the perspective of the team's strategy or the player's thought process
• Remain patient and persistent, but avoid becoming aggressive or confrontational
  • Aggression may cause the interviewee to shut down or become defensive
  • Maintaining a calm, professional demeanor is crucial to keeping the interview on track
• If an interviewee refuses to answer a question or becomes uncooperative, move on to another topic
  • Consider returning to the sensitive subject later in the interview if appropriate
  • This shows respect for the interviewee's boundaries while still pursuing important information

Navigating Sensitive Topics

Preparing for Sensitive Subjects

• Be well-informed about the sensitive topic or controversy
  • Research any legal implications or ongoing investigations to ensure questions are appropriate and well-framed
  • This demonstrates professionalism and helps avoid unintentional missteps or offensive questions
• Approach sensitive subjects with empathy and understanding
  • Acknowledge the potential difficulty or emotional impact of discussing these issues
  • This shows respect for the interviewee's experiences and feelings
• Frame questions in a neutral, non-judgmental manner to avoid the perception of bias or accusation
  • Use language that is objective and unbiased
  • Example: "Can you share your perspective on the events that led to the controversy?" instead of "Why did you make such a poor decision?"

Handling Emotional Responses and Differing Perspectives

• Provide context for sensitive questions, explaining why the information is relevant to the story or the public interest
  • This helps the interviewee understand the importance of their response and may encourage them to be more forthcoming
• Allow the interviewee to express their perspective or feelings on the issue, even if it differs from popular opinion or the interviewer's own views
  • This demonstrates objectivity and a commitment to presenting a balanced story
  • Actively listen and show understanding, even if you disagree with their perspective
• Be prepared to pivot or change the direction of the interview if the interviewee becomes overly emotional or the discussion becomes unproductive
  • Have backup questions or topics ready to shift the focus if needed
  • This shows adaptability and helps maintain the overall flow and purpose of the interview

Maintaining Composure in Confrontations

Staying Professional and Calm

• Remain calm and professional, even if the interviewee becomes agitated, defensive, or confrontational
  • Avoid engaging in arguments or becoming visibly frustrated
  • Maintaining composure is essential to keeping the interview on track and productive
• Use active listening techniques, such as paraphrasing and summarizing, to demonstrate understanding and empathy
  • This can help de-escalate tense situations and show the interviewee that you value their perspective
  • Example: "What I'm hearing is that you felt the decision was unfair and that it significantly impacted your team. Is that correct?"
• Maintain a neutral, objective tone and avoid expressing personal opinions or judgments
  • This helps prevent the perception of bias or inflaming the situation further
  • Stick to facts and observations rather than subjective statements

Setting Boundaries and Ending Unproductive Interviews

• If an interviewee becomes overly hostile or aggressive, calmly assert boundaries and remind them of the purpose of the interview
  • Firmly but politely state that their behavior is not conducive to a productive conversation
  • Example: "I understand that this is a sensitive topic, but I need us to maintain a respectful dialogue to properly address these questions."
• Take breaks if necessary to allow both the interviewer and interviewee to regain composure and refocus the discussion
  • Suggest a short pause or offer to resume the interview after a brief break
  • This can help diffuse tension and provide an opportunity to regroup
• If the situation becomes untenable or the interviewee is no longer willing to engage productively, be prepared to end the interview gracefully and professionally
  • Thank them for their time and express understanding for their position
  • Example: "I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me today. It's clear that this is a difficult subject, and I respect your decision to end the interview here."

Adapting Questioning Techniques

Understanding Communication Styles

• Recognize that individuals have different communication styles and tailor your approach accordingly
  • Examples of communication styles include direct vs. indirect, analytical vs. emotional, or introverted vs. extroverted
  • Adapting to these styles shows flexibility and helps create a more comfortable environment for the interviewee
• For more introverted or reserved interviewees, use a softer, more conversational tone and allow longer pauses
  • This gives them time to formulate their thoughts and responses
  • Avoid rapid-fire questions or interrupting, as this may cause them to withdraw
• With extroverted or more talkative individuals, use more focused, specific questions to keep the interview on track
  • This helps avoid lengthy tangents and ensures you get the information you need
  • Gently redirect if the conversation strays too far off-topic

Tailoring Questions and Nonverbal Communication

• For analytical personalities, provide data, facts, and concrete examples to support your questions
  • This helps them feel more comfortable in their responses and appeals to their logical nature
  • Example: "Your team's stats show a significant improvement in assists this season. How do you think this has contributed to your overall success?"
• With more emotional or expressive individuals, acknowledge their feelings and use empathy to build trust
  • This encourages open communication and helps them feel heard and understood
  • Example: "It's clear that this loss deeply affected you. Can you share how you and your team are coping and what you're focusing on moving forward?"
• Pay attention to nonverbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, to gauge the interviewee's comfort level
  • Adjust your approach as needed based on these cues
  • Example: If an interviewee appears tense or closed off, switch to a less sensitive topic or take a break to help them relax
• Be flexible and willing to adapt your prepared questions or interview structure based on the interviewee's responses and communication style
  • This ensures a more productive and insightful conversation
  • If an answer sparks a new line of questioning, don't be afraid to deviate from your planned questions to pursue the new angle