Interview like a celebrity

I’ve watched number of interviews with prominent personalities both local and international and in this writers humble opinion there is much room for improvement . The ability to connect and build rapport with any audience is crucial and yet many lack this basic skill. I’ve seen everything from one word answers to innumerable ums and ahs (known as fillers), to people going off on irrelevant tangents or useless diatribes. I wonder how many of them actually prepare before they come into studio or even put some thought into what they are going to say. Great interview and communication skills can be taught and one trained – not to give rote answers but to put oneself in the shoes of the viewers or listeners. This also means looking the part and not like you were caught running to the kiosk to get some bread.

I watched John Legend the musician, being interviewed on CNN last week and was pleasantly surprised. He was insightful, funny and entertaining. He was dressed well, didn’t hide behind dark glasses and his body language showed that he was listening carefully as much as he spoke. And when he did, his voice was warm, well modulated and had sufficient vocal variety to keep us (the viewers) interested. His answers were not canned but well thought out and he engaged in an actual conversation and not simply yes or no answers. A halfway decent grasp of the language and a knowledge of a wide range of topics makes an interview interesting. I’m not saying you have to lyrically flow like PLO Lumumba or have a clipped accent like John Sibi-Okumu but speaking in ‘pesa nane’ English does one no favours. And here’s something you might not know – studies have shown that a deeper voice (think husky in women) is more pleasing to the ear of the listener. A high pitched voice is considered a big turn off, so men think Barry White when interviewing and for women the dulcet tones of Julie Gichuru.

And finally a quick word on acceptance speeches. I recently watched the Groove Awards, Kenya’s gospel music awards love fest. I paid particular attention to the acceptance speeches and saw the good the bad and the unintelligible. When accepting an award you need to be brief, gracious and modest. Reciting your family lineage or musical history is NOT the way to go. That goes for anybody receiving an award, be prepared just in case you do win that prize for person of the year.