Guests quickly become distant when faced with an uncomfortable question. Interviewers owe it to their audience to discuss sensitive topics when necessary, and they can do so without being confrontational by avoiding challenging language. “What?” and “How?” questions are a magic trick used by professional interviewers. The good news is that this is an easy technique to learn and master.
Why And When Are Challenge Words
Anyone who has had a toddler is quickly worn out with the never-ending question, “Why?” It’s frustrating, challenging, and annoying. Guests on the air are often aggravated by this question as well and quickly become guarded when confronted with it.
A “when” question can have the same effect because it feels more like an interrogation than a conversation. Sometimes, a “when” question is necessary for clarification, but try to avoid it if it feels like an attorney cross-examining a witness in a trial.
The words “Why?” and “When?” are challenge words that put guests in an awkward position, forcing them to defend themselves. Asking these questions can come off as accusations and cause the guest to withdraw from the conversation.
The Magic Of What And How Questions
Instead, learn to rephrase questions using “what” and “how” questions. These words suggest curiosity and interest in the guests’s insight or expertise. They’re received as warm and engaging rather than challenging.
Imagine being asked a simple question such as:
Why did you do it?
The intent may be harmless, but doesn’t it feel like you have to defend an action? What if the question were rephrased as:
What caused you to do it?
This simple adjustment removes emotion, making the question warmer and more intimate. It implies understanding and almost always leads to a better response.
