Delivering a World Class Interview Under Intense Media Pressure.

As a leader or public figure, you'll often find yourself the focus of podcasts & interviews. More often than not, these will go smoothly and produce the results you want.

However, as a leader, it's not uncommon to find yourself under intense media scrutiny. Whether it's a public controversy, a negative news story, or a crisis situation, how you respond can make or break your reputation as well as that of your organisation.

Here are some action points to help you respond as a leader if you happen to find yourself under intense media questioning:

Prepare in advance: Anticipate the types of questions that may arise and develop clear and consistent messaging that aligns with your organisation's values and goals.
Stay calm and composed: Maintain a professional demeanor and avoid becoming defensive or emotional. Answer the questions at hand, and don't engage in an argument with the media.
Be honest and transparent: Provide accurate information, even if it's not favourable to your organisation. Hiding the truth or manipulating the facts can only lead to more negative attention.
Take responsibility: If mistakes were made, acknowledge them and take responsibility. Show a commitment to learning and improvement by outlining steps to prevent similar issues from happening in the future.
Stay on message: Stick to your messaging, and avoid speculation or conjecture. If you're unsure of an answer, say so and offer to follow up later with more information.
Show empathy and compassion: If the issue at hand is particularly sensitive, acknowledge the concerns and emotions of those affected. Demonstrate empathy and compassion in your responses.
Stay consistent: Ensure that all of your responses are consistent and aligned with your messaging. This will help to build credibility and trust with the media and the public.

Responding to intense media questioning can be a daunting task and shake the most experienced of us. However, by preparing in advance, you can effectively manage the situation and protect your reputation.