Preparing for a walk and talk
11:50am 19 April 2011
Manuel Flury heads the Knowledge and Learning Processes Division at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), part of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. A long-time friend of Sparknow, there was never any doubt that we would seek his insights for The Evolving Role of the Knowledge Worker; the question was how best to conduct this knowledge exchange to do his experiences justice.
From a short introductory conversation in March it was clear that Manuel is an open and hugely engaging person with a wealth of experiences to share. He is also about to head back out to the development field in an exciting new role in Ethiopia, which will bring his 10 years in KM at SDC to a close. A 60-minute telephone interview simply would not do.
Knowing that Manuel is a keen walker and that I once put myself through the three-peak challenge, Victoria and Paul suggested we meet in Berne and do the interview while on a walk – perfect.
In preparing for this trip, my challenge has been how to capture our conversations while out and about. It wasn’t until I started thinking about the logistics that I realised how much I rely on the safety of a quiet meeting room, a recording device carefully placed on the desk in front of my interviewee, and my notebook and pens to hand.
Sitting on the SBB train from Zurich airport to Berne, I’m running through my prep:
- I have invested in a lapel mic for my dictaphone. I just hope that the wind, rustling from walking, birds, planes, and any other manner of aural distractions don’t obscure the stories Manuel has to share
- I have a crib sheet of questions in my back pocket should I stray off on tangents. I’m bad enough when in a meeting room with a prompt sheet in front of me, who knows what might happen without that visual pull back on track
- I have sturdy walking boots
- And my fingers crossed
I’m curious about what difference being outside will make. I’m sure that the views of Bern, glorious sunshine (I checked the forecast last night) and fresh air will evoke deeper insights. But what difference will it make that we’ll be walking rather than bound to chairs and a desk?
Could it have a negative impact that we’ll not be facing each other and are likely to have less eye contact? Will I miss anything? Will the lack of writing materials hamper me or prevent Manuel from explaining something visually? Will the million and one distractions take us off course or interrupt a critical point mid-story?
Well, my train arrives in 10 minutes so I’ll report back soon.
