Sawatsky

When I was the Executive Director for the Canadian Association of Journalists, I had the pleasure of meeting John Sawatsky.

He was a struggling journalist living in an apartment at the back of a house. We often went out for Chinese food and shared our dreams.

I had heard that he had given a seminar or two about a methodology for asking questions in an interview. For our convention, we decided to have workshops for the first time. I asked John if he would do his. He said yes.

Of the eight workshops we had, more than half of them received positive comments. I remember journalists exiting John’s like newborn Christians at a revival meeting. They were excited about what they had heard. Many commented that their interviewing process had changed that day and they would be able to apply what they had learned immediately.

Being exposed to journalists from all over Canada didn’t hurt. Soon John was conducting his seminars around the country and eventually around the world.

Although his workshops are much more than this, here is a list of the seven deadly sins journalists make when conducting interviews.

Deadly Sin #1: No query
You make a statement, but fail to ask a question
Deadly Sin #2: Double-barrelled questions
You ask two questions. The person responds by answering the easiest one.
Deadly Sin: #3 Overloading
Your question is too complicated. The person is confused at what the real question is.
Deadly Sin: #4 Remarks
You add your own remarks, which can taint the response.
Deadly Sin: #5 Trigger words
You use words which will inflame or upset the person, rather than provoking an insightful answer.
Deadly Sin: #6 Hyperbole
You use an exaggeration in your question, which can affect the answer.
Deadly Sin #7: Closed Queries
Your question can be answered with a simple yes or no when you would like more detail.

In his presentation, he shows video clips from very famous journalists like Mike Wallace and Larry King. Word has gotten back to these people and they have defended themselves against John’s exposition of their perceived flaws. I laugh that these media giants are commenting on what a humble guy from Winkler, Manitoba said – somebody they wouldn’t have even heard of a few years ago.

Eventually John Sawatsky got a job working exclusively with ESPN in the United States and the last I heard, he is now one of the vice presidents.

I am happy for John and the success he has achieved. He reminds me that if you keep working hard and following what you believe, good things will happen to you.

I look forward to the next time we have Chinese food together. I’m sure he has some good stories to tell. Using his methodology, I’ll have a few good questions.