Imagine you are the head of a global religion.
Your fellow leaders have come from most parts of the world to join you for a big meeting to discuss massive issues regarding sexuality and the role of women in your religious empire among other heavyweight subjects.
You’re in front of a radio microphone having prepared yourself to talk live about the issues your religion is about to decide on.
You are aware that every word you utter will be heard live across the internet.
And in comes the first question…
“I suppose I ought to start by asking you whether David Bowie was part of your life, Archbishop?”
That’s how it was yesterday morning for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
The archbishop responded that he was very saddened to hear the news of the death of the music and artistic icon which had only just been announced.
He went on to say that David Bowie had been a part of his life and to reminisce about how he had “endlessly” listened to the artist’s music in the 1970s.
Eventually the compere went back to the pre-arranged agenda, saying: “Let us return to matter’s Anglican…”
The archbishop had passed the “What’s on the radar?” test in colours as vibrant as the colours which once appeared across David Bowie’s face.
It’s something we should all make sure we can pass when doing a media interview.
However vital the issues you have prepared to talk about, you need to be aware that the news media – quite rightly – has an obsession with what is the latest, based on the fact that audiences will always want to know about something which is the latest.
So amidst the preparation of your key messages and powerful examples you need to make sure you are aware of anything else that is on the media agenda which you could reasonably be asked about.
Before the Archbishop appeared the British Broadcasting Corporation’s highly popular Today programme had just done an in-depth item on the breaking news about David Bowie’s sad departure from this planet to join the starman waiting in the sky.
So having taken their listeners’ minds back through the vast and varied highlights of David Bowie’s career, it was quite logical to get the Anglican Church reaction.
Whether you’re meeting your local newspaper or are on a programme being transmitted around the world, ask yourself before you meet the journalist “What else is on the radar that they could reasonably ask me about?”
This is an essential part of the way to make sure you are fully prepared.
SELF-RATIONING BY DAVID BOWIE
LEFT THE MEDIA WANTING MORE
Of course the impact David Bowie had on the world – including fashion, sexuality, music and more – was underlined by the fact that whoever would have been on after the radio tribute to him would probably have been asked about him – whether that next interviewee was a president, a prime minister or you!
David Bowie was always someone the media found it hard to ignore.
One of the things David Bowie did which contributed to his mystique and impact was that he didn’t say “yes” to every interview request.
That is something you can possibly afford to do when you’ve made it big – though possibly less so when you’re working your way up in whatever sector you’re in.
But the fact that David Bowie had a sense of his own worth to the media and rationed his exposure tightly ended up putting him in greater demand.
He also had an extraordinarily acute sense of timing – putting out his twenty-seventh and last album, Blackstar, just days before on his 69th birthday on 8 January – and presciently appearing with his eyes covered by a bandage in a video sequence that features a skull inside the suit of an astronaut.
David Bowie’s producer has confirmed that his last single was a carefully orchestrated farewell to his fans.
It shows the artist in a hospital bed, and concludes with him retreating into a dark closet.
While David Bowie was someone uncomfortable with commercial success, it’s ironically bound to ensure that his final recording hits the top of the charts.
He will not only be missed, but will be talked about for a very long time.
The lyrics of his last single begin: “Look up here, I’m in heaven.”
And with his final single called Lazarus, who knows what could be next for the legend of David Bowie – someone who could maximise publicity when he wanted to in a way that deserves to be studied.
GREAT ANSWERS TO TOUGH QUESTIONS MASTER CLASSES
Of course you don’t have to be an archbishop to face challenging questions.
My new book being published this year by Capstone is aimed at helping everyone who needs to answer questions in the workplace – whether they’re questions from clients, prospects, shareholders, staff, your boss or the media.
To mark the birth of “Great Answers To Tough Questions At Work” there will be two master classes in Central London to demonstrate the techniques outlined in the book with the opportunity for participants to formulate and practice your great answers.
There are two master classes to choose from – both on Friday 15 July.
The first runs 10am to 1pm. The second runs 2pm to 5pm.
Lunch is included at the venue in between the two sessions – and of course each participant gets a copy of the book signed by the author no less!
Investment cost is £340, including VAT, per place.
There is an early bird offer of £237 including VAT, open until 9 February unless all places are taken before this date.
For those interested in a place, email michael@michaeldoddcommunications.com and you will receive a registration form.
You can bring along your number one nightmare question, so that you can finish the session having worked out how best to answer it – with a chance to practice your answer with colleagues in the group.
You can then apply the same principles to formulating and delivering answers to other tough questions you currently face or will face in the future.
It will be confidence-enhancing, career-boosting and fun.
STAGING AN IRRESISTIBLE
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Since Australia stopped holding the Ashes, I try not to mention cricket too often.
This is particularly so since, back when Australia did hold the Ashes, I got some feedback on a sheet from an otherwise highly satisfied participant in a master class in Yorkshire (where they take cricket rather seriously) who said something along the lines of “You mentioned cricket 12 times, which was 11 times too many.”
But as a great lesson in communication has come up from the world of cricket, I feel obliged to mention the sport – just this once.
It involves how to stage a great photo opportunity for the media in order to promote your cause.
The cause is an odd one. A group of cricket fans in Australia are campaigning to have the second day of test matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground to be called “Richie Day”.
This is to honour the late irreplaceable cricket captain and commentator, Richie Benaud, who was known for a distinctive look with a beige or ivory jacket and a certain hairstyle.
To make their point they got together 501 Richie lookalikes at the Sydney Cricket Ground on a match day – all decked out in wigs and jackets.
It was a great tribute to the legendary Richie who I once had the privilege of interviewing for a documentary I made for the BBC about Australians living in Britain.
It has to be said the some of the lookalikes – such as the black-bearded one near the front – weren’t all that convincing.
But did it get the fans the publicity they were seeking?
You bet!!!
A bit of imagination and effort in photo opportunity generating can go a long way.
You can check out the enlightening thoughts of some of my inspiring colleagues at the Professional Speaking Association on these uplifting blogposts:
Focus Your Mindset To WIN WIN WIN – Nicci Roscoe, Fabulous Impact Speaker
http://www.nicciroscoe.com/how-you-can-focus-your-mindset-to-win-win-win/
Taking A Strategic Approach To The “Talent Drought” – Eilidh Milnes, Captain Positive
http://www.captain-positive.com/confidence-blog/talent-drought
Crying Can Make You Smarter – Sylvia Baldock, Unlocking Your Hidden Potential
http://www.sylviabaldock.com/2015/12/crying-can-make-you-smarter/