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I don't talk a lot when I interview. My job is to get out…

“I don't talk a lot when I interview. My job is to get out of the way.” quote by Anna Deavere Smith
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“I don't talk a lot when I interview. My job is to get out of the way.”

Anna Deavere Smith

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Effective interviewing requires stepping back, letting interviewee lead the conversation.

In simple terms: Interviewers should stay out of the way.

Key Takeaway

Practice active listening.

Themes

communication interviewing humility

Mood

contemplative professional

Type

advice reflective

When to use this quote

  • journalism
  • podcasting
  • research interviews

Key Concepts

Narrative inquiry dialogue ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How to balance silence and prompting?
  • When is intervention necessary?
A Different Perspective

Too much silence may lose momentum.

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