Scott McLelland has handled himself masterfully during some tough media interviews, keeping his cool and not saying anything evil about the people who are attempting to besmirch his name. In an interview yesterday with Terry Gross, the host of NPR’s Fresh Air, Gross asked him not to rely on his sound bites and just talk.

Take heed. 

Even though a host asks you not to repeat your talking points you still need to convey your messages. What Gross was asking for was fresh material–she is revered for getting the honest thoughts of cultural and political figures, and inspires trust in her guests. She didn’t want Scott McLelland’s typical responses, the ones she had already heard.

Now McLelland has been well-schooled in how to say what he wants, and because Gross’ questions were not typical Mclelland was forced to be spontaneous and not rely on his rehearsed phrases, many of which he used consistently on shows like The Today Show and Keith Olbermann.

Gross used some pointed tactics like playing back some press interviews and asked him to comment on what he was thinking and feeling during those uncomfortable and difficult moments. You could hear that he had not anticipated these questions, yet he still answered them with aplomb.