4 - *Star Quality*

I have two friends who have separately interviewed Bill Clinton, since he left office. Both said that before hand, they hadn't really though twice about his actual appeal , his *star quality.*

Both were just interested to interview a world leader. Both came away mesmerized by him. One even joked that she felt hypnotised in his presence! They were bowled over, and that is quite something for hardened hacks.

He was so incredibly charismatic. And that doesn't completely translate on TV, apparently. Both ladies also said he was highly attractive, as well as... well, powerful, I suppose.

One of them had also interview Princess Diana, and said it was exactly the same with her - that both people lock eyes on you and make you feel incredibly interesting and significant, the centre of the room.

What a gift to have in life, to be able to make people feel that way...
Again - interestingly - I am told that one Barrack Obama possesses the same gift in person.

So do you need a proper connection with and interviewee in order to get a good interview? Of course, it helps.

But often you meet the person very briefly. Or they are in grief, or traumatised, or very nervous. So you are taught ways to relax people before an interview, or techniques to get them to open up on camera.

I think it helps to just naturally be a warm person, and engaged and interested in them. Empathy gets you a long way in life, I have found...

Though sometimes you want them angry ... so I just deliberatly ask antagonistic questions and wait for the fireworks. No connection needed.