Viva's quote of the week
10/03/10
Attention: John Terry, Ashley Cole , Tiger Woods...
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How to deal with hostile questioning:
The journalist’s job is to question what you say. So don't take it to heart. It is nothing personal (usually). It’s just a job.
If you are making a statement that's controversial you have to expect hostile questioning. The worst thing to do is lose your cool and start being rude or aggressive (even if the interviewer is rude and aggressive). Golden rule: Do not get into an argument.
Try to remember these simple points:
• Be cool. You know your stuff, they probably don't
• Concentrate on positive aspects of your key message
• Try to avoid restating the question view in your answer
• Don’t be defensive. Please
• Be polite but make your point
• Avoid yes or no answers. You have the floor so make it count
• Stick to the topic
• Don’t argue
• Don’t lose your cool — count to 10 if it helps
• Never walk out. Unless you want to be known as the one that walked out.
That said, don't stand for any nonsense. Correct any false information or unfair viewpoints that are expressed. Remember you are the expert here. The interviewer will just be moving on to their next victim.
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