We’re not sure how many more interviews we can read or watch leading up to the Super bowl because it’s hard to get anyone to actually answer the questions. However Coach Jim Harbaugh takes the non-response to a new art form.
A recent post in the Wall Street Journal analyzed his media day press conference. Coach Harbaugh totally dismissed 12% of the questions, 5% were answered with another question, and he simply avoided 22% of the questions asked.
At CommCore we consider ourselves to be connoisseurs of the Q & A process. Clearly the coach can get away with his interview style, however the rest of us have to be more responsive. We always advise our clients that while you don’t have to answer every question exactly in the way it’s asked, you have to at least acknowledge and try and bridge to a message when appropriate.
However if you’re in a tight spot and don’t really want to answer any questions directly, turn to the 49ers coach for help:
- IT’S THE QUESTIONER’S FAULT
- WHEN IN DOUBT, SPEAK GIBBERISH
- A QUESTION FOR A QUESTION
- UM, NO
- WELL, MAYBE, POSSIBLY, KINDA