Ted Seides – The Art of the Interview (EP.330)

Questioning Techniques

Ted Seides shares insights on crafting impactful questions during interviews, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between an interview and a conversation. He notes that good questions are open-ended, often starting with "what," "why," or "how," and advises against compound questions, as they tend to receive incomplete answers 1. Matt Breitfelder highlights the challenge of managing conversations in an industry filled with analytical minds, suggesting that Seides' techniques can lead to higher quality results 2.

Compound questions are terrible. When people answer compound questions, they almost always only answer the second question.

--- Ted Seides

Seides also discusses the portability of these techniques across different facets of life, noting their effectiveness in emotionally charged situations 2.

   

Preparation Insights

Preparation is key to conducting engaging interviews, according to Ted Seides. He describes his process, which includes extensive research and creating a simple bullet-point outline rather than detailed questions, allowing for active listening and spontaneous questioning 3. Seides shares his evolution from relying on a list of questions to a more flexible approach, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the conversation's flow 4.

I landed on using the research to create a very simple bullet point outline of topics. And that's what I bring with me into the room.

--- Ted Seides

This method, he notes, helps maintain relevance for the audience, which he views as himself, ensuring the conversation remains engaging and informative 3.

   

Mastering Techniques

Mastering the art of interviewing requires practice, feedback, and a deep understanding of the audience. Ted Seides likens the interview process to a three-act play, where preparation, active listening, and feedback are crucial 5. Matt Breitfelder acknowledges the complexity of interviewing, noting that it takes years to master, but emphasizes the value of specific practices that can be quickly adopted 5.

The good news is you've elucidated today some very specific, concrete practices that people can start using very quickly.

--- Matt Breitfelder

Seides reflects on his journey into podcasting, which began serendipitously, and how his experience in investing and interviewing managers laid the groundwork for his podcasting success 6.