330: Deconstructing The Art & Science Of Interviewing With Jay Acunzo

<p>The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk</p> <p>#330: Deconstructing The Art & Science Of Interviewing With Jay Acunzo</p> <p>Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com</p> <p>This is a special bonus episode focusing on deconstructing the art and science of interviewing. You will hear learning happening in real time. Jay Acunzo and I go a meta-level to better understand how to better improve our conversation ability, how to be better in an interview. "Interviewing is a skill that enhances your life in a pleasant and unexpected way." This is focused on how you can ask better questions, be more interesting and more interested, and become a better conversationalist.</p> <p>Notes: </p> <ul> <li>The meta level of deconstructing the process of making the work is rare...</li> <li>"I experience the most flow when it's quiet, nitty-gritty work. Those minute are profoundly rewarding for me."</li> <li>What makes a great interview?</li> <li>An open loop -- Start telling the story, but wait to close the loop until later to build intrigue...</li> <li>The difference between a narrative style show and an interview getting to know someone: <ul> <li>A story is three parts - The intent of the story: The "Joseph Campbell Heroes Journey" 1) Status Quo 2) Conflict 3) Resolution</li> <li>Bucket of questions: <ul> <li>"Tell me about X..."</li> <li>"How did it make you feel?"</li> <li>The analysis and the reflection</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Change your mindset: "You're not an interviewer, you're a dance partner." <ul> <li>"The only thing that matters is that you lead. Everything else is little subtle moves to get people to go to where you want to go."</li> </ul> </li> <li>"It's not a constant march forward. Instead, think of it like a dance. There are some steps back, steps forward, steps to the side — all packaged together in one coherent experience, with lots of zig-zagging and subtle steps inside those boundaries."</li> <li>Open ended questions: "Tell me about X" gets you story details, while "how did it feel when" gets you key moments of reflection and analysis. Both are crucial.</li> <li>Clip #1 -- <a href="http://bit.ly/2fjBlro" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">JJ Redick </a> <ul> <li>He says "great question" — what would make someone interviewed as often as a pro athlete say that?</li> <li>How to prep for an interview for someone who is interviewed all the time? <ul> <li>Built a basic rapport leading up to the interview -- Discussed sports, restaurants, podcasting, interviewing. Developed a "friend" level of communication <ul> <li>Create an environment where the guest wants it to be a great show</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Good follow up questions: Ask for an example... Asking, "How did that make you feel?" "What's your process?" --&gt; Then be a deep, thoughtful listener to ask a follow up.</li> <li>Stay on the same level with your dance partner - Don't be a guest "worshiper"</li> <li>When following up, there are a few things you can do: 1) Distill 2) Disagree 3) Ask the next question...</li> <li>During an interview, the best question you can ask: "How did that make you feel?" It enables them to get in an emotional lane (away from canned responses)</li> <li>Testing the levels on the microphone -- Don't waste that opportunity. Engineer the guest, the human -- You need them to feel like we're hanging out and excited about the interview. Make it fun. What to ask instead: "I'm going to check your levels, do you have any pets at home?" "What would be your last meal on earth?" -- It helps people break out of their corporate drone mode. The question is about the person, on a human plane.</li> <li>Create a safe space for them to share their truth. "I'm not a journalist, I'm a conversationalist."</li> </ul> </li> <li>Clip #2 -- <a href= "http://bit.ly/savagehawk311" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Adam Savage</a> <ul> <li>How did he get on the show? Working with a PR firm to book a guest -- A great PR person like <a href= "http://brentunderwood.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Brent Underwood</a> only recommends guests that are a good fit for the show.</li> <li>Ask questions that you are genuinely curious about -- I am curious about someone's process and it's always led me to a useful follow up...</li> <li>The issue is sometimes a "process" oriented question is the guest can answer with a generality... How to wiggle out of that? <ul> <li>Look at the acknowledgement section of their book to get ideas for important people/events in their life to ask about...</li> </ul> </li> <li>Mental Heuristics: Tell me about, 30,000 feet, go to a specific example... The third question is "Putting them in a box:" -- "</li> </ul> </li> <li>From <a href="https://twitter.com/jayacunzo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jay</a>: Heuristics to tell great AUDIO stories: <ul> <li>Tell me about...</li> <li>How did you feel when (or, how did that feel?)</li> <li>Can you give me an example?</li> <li>(Superlatives) Best, worst, funniest, scariest, hardest, least certain, favorite, etc...</li> <li>(Dig for emotional moments)</li> </ul> </li> <li>Clip #3 -- <a href="http://bit.ly/koppelmanhawk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Brian Koppelman</a> <ul> <li>How to handle nerves -- Work to get settled in. Get through the initial conversation point...</li> <li>Give people a genuine compliment for why you like their work -- Tell people why their work helps you</li> </ul> </li> <li>Hidden Gems: <ul> <li>Interplay between your intent for the work and your framework for it: <ul> <li>"My goal is to engineer an outcome, but I have an intent I don't want to become The Bachelor in Paradise." <ul> <li>Have self and situational awareness. We carry with us good intent to serve the audience. Don't let the framework or engineering supersede the original intent.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>The two types of interviews: 1) The person, their story... 2) Their content <ul> <li>The best conversations are able to weave both together and smoothly bounce back and forth</li> <li>Learn about the person AND learn about the topic that he has mastered -- Master that dance between both -- I need to give you something that is going to make you better.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li>Use the "<a href="http://learningleader.com/gettoknowyou/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get To Know You Document</a>"</li> <li>Why joining <em><a href= "http://info.brixeyandmeyer.com/the-learning-leader-circle-applicati?utm_source=email&utm_content=59130975" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Learning Leader Circle</a></em> is a good idea</li> </ul>