Did you know that some of my early blog interviews were done via email?

I can’t imagine doing that now.

But at the time it was my alternative to an in-person interview.

And people quite liked the option of writing their considered answers.

What was missing was the connection I feel when interviewing someone. Hearing the story behind the words. Hearing the passion in their voice, or watching their face light up.

Also missing was the ability to ask different questions, to gain clarity on a point or even change direction.

Having said that, I have no regrets about doing written interviews. I probably would have had less people willing to be interviewed in those early days without that option. And they were also much easier for me to write up! No need to interpret the voice to text conversion.

I think that often in life and work we do things a certain way for a variety of reasons, then as we learn and grow, we change our approach.

Even my in-person interview technique has evolved.

Through trying to pick my words out of the quotes of my interviewee I learned to listen with my body not my mouth!

I learned that direct eye contact makes it hard for some people to feel comfortable sharing, so looking away from them can be better, and I learned to take my cue from the interviewee.

Discovering that some of the best stories come from asking for more about a point that was made instead of just moving to my next question meant that I listened harder for those gems.

My own reactions sometimes have to be stifled – especially my tendency to ponder on what was just said to me while the poor interviewee waits for my next question!

And I learned that a good interview and a good coaching session have a lot in common!

I hope my blogs have been improving as I get better at interviewing – my goal is to do justice to the amazing stories that are shared with me.