YOU DON’T NEED TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS… JUST SOME.
The easiest way to approach TV interviews less as “an interview” and more like a conversation
You Don’t Need All the Answers
One of the biggest misconceptions about being interviewed on TV is the pressure to have every answer about the topic at hand. The truth? You don’t need to know everything.
As a guest, your role is to discuss a limited scope within a broader topic, leaving room for curiosity and engagement rather than aiming for encyclopedic knowledge.
Why It’s Okay to Not Have All the Answers
In most interviews, the focus isn’t on being a walking dictionary of facts—it’s about engaging the audience and sparking curiosity. Here’s why this approach works:
Limited Scope: TV interviews are short, so your responses should remain concise and focused on specific angles rather than covering everything.
Curiosity Is Engaging: Sharing your personal curiosities about industry trends encourages audiences to think critically and remain engaged.
Human Connection Matters: Leaving some things to the unknown or open-ended invites further exploration and avoids overwhelming viewers with unnecessary details.
How to Stay Confident Without Knowing Everything
Here are some tips to manage interviews gracefully, even when you don’t have all the answers:
1. Focus on Your Expertise
Stay within your area of knowledge and highlight your insights. As an executive, you’re expected to know specific details about your company, but you can let broader, unrelated questions spark curiosity instead of providing definitive answers.
2. Use Personal Anecdotes
If a reporter’s question sparks interest, share a personal story or experience related to the topic. This not only adds color to the interview but also helps you appear more approachable and relatable.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Leave Room for Curiosity
It’s perfectly fine to admit when something is outside your immediate scope of knowledge. Use phrases like:
“That’s an interesting area, and I’d love to see how it evolves.”
“While I don’t have specifics on that, what I can share is…”
The Power of Being Approachable
Flowing naturally from sentence to sentence, sharing stories, and showing curiosity are all ways to create a meaningful connection with the audience. You don’t need to appear stiff or rehearsed—just be yourself and let your genuine interest shine through.
Final Thoughts
Remember, your role in a TV interview is not to have every answer but to share your perspective, insights, and personal experiences. Stay focused on your expertise, spark curiosity, and connect with the audience authentically.
By embracing this mindset, you’ll come across as confident, approachable, and engaging—qualities that make for a memorable interview.