Will’s Word: Why I’m not a ‘gotcha’ interviewer

After every interview I conduct, I often ask myself, was I hard enough? Was that the right line of questioning? Did I get what I was really after?

For a long time, I compared myself to seasoned broadcasters telling myself, “so-and-so wouldn't have handled it that way, they would have done it differently”. But recently I've come to a pretty simple realisation: I'm not them, I'm me.

Outside of work, I try to be warm, approachable and respectful, as you should. I'm not one for conflict. I don't enjoy arguing with strangers. So perhaps it's inevitable that it spills into my work.

I'm not a“gotcha-style interviewer. I don't talk over people. I'm not chasing rage-bait or soundbites. Instead, and I'm sure colleagues or some of you may not agree with this approach, I choose to give people space to express themselves fully.

Even if that means letting them ramble slightly, I respect all views and try to create an environment where those views can be aired and tested. Of course, if pushback is needed, I'll do it respectfully.

Some see it as a soft approach, but I see it as being honest. I'm also 24 years old. My worldview is still forming, shifting as my life experiences expand, so when I interview someone, whether a politician or an official, I'm learning too in real time.

Watch Will’s Word below.

That's why I give people a fair crack at articulating their points. It's not me siding with their views either, and I don't want that to be mistaken for me siding with their views.

I just find in an age where trust in the media continues to decline, I think there's value in an approach that's rooted in curiosity, patience, indulgence and respect.

That's Will's Word.