How to Answer Tough Questions on TV: Learn from Pelosi
The goal is to get your main points across. The challenge is the interviewer who wants a great soundbite. A great soundbite usually isn’t favorable for you. Don’t blame the interviewer. That’s his job. So how do you get the upper hand?
How to Answer Tough Questions on TV: Learn from Pelosi. So what does Pelosi do so well? Watch the featured visit with Bob Kaplitz comments on the bottom of the screen. Also, this longer example from the world’s oldest TV show, “Meet the Press,” which featured Nancy Pelosi when the administration was at an all time low because of problems with the new Obamacare website.
Before “Key Points,” a reminder:
Your political affiliation shouldn’t matter. The important point is to recognize how a high profile advocate for a cause handles tough questions when her group’s credibility is in question. It rarely gets worse than this for a person fielding the tough questions. You can learn a lot if you set political party aside.
And, yes, in the ideal world, nobody should have to defend against accusation that either they or their President is lying. We’d rather coach good speakers with great track records, helping people. But the real world doesn’t allow us to do that. People usually have to feel pain to seek help. Pelosi seems to be doing fine on her own. After all, she got away with the famous line about having to pass the bill to see what’s in it. That said, here are takeaways.
KEY POINTS
Manage the interview
Use questions as a starting point to list your talking points
Avoid pausing so the interviewer can’t ask more questions
When you can’t answer a tough question, change the subject: “I’ve heard that criticism, but the real issue is…”
Look for opportunities to attack your opposition, diverting attention away from you
How to answer tough questions on TV takes practice. Pelosi has been doing it for years. Many political parties and corporations have come to expert trainers like Bob Kaplitz to they’re prepared for the tough interviews. Or, from a sales standpoint, prepared to answer prospects’ questions in a clear, compelling, and convincing way.
Contact Bob Kaplitz at 214766.4236 for a complimentary evaluation of your current approaches.
No Comments