Our practices for conducting executive interviews have shifted meaningfully, and the specific changes are worth naming.
We started recording every interview without exception
Early interviews weren't always recorded consistently. We now record every executive interview as standard practice, specifically after encountering a genuine quote-accuracy dispute a recording resolved cleanly.
We got more willing to ask questions that risk losing future access
We've become more deliberate about asking genuinely difficult questions even when we suspect it might affect whether that executive agrees to speak with us again.
We tightened our handling of off-the-record requests
We now apply a more consistent, clearly communicated policy for off-the-record moments, established upfront rather than negotiated in the moment.
Why this evolution matters
Executive interviews depend on genuine trust from both sources and readers, and we think being explicit about how our practices have matured serves both groups better than assuming that trust is automatic.