I’ve been in this situation frequently, and what I often try to do is put the questions to the interview in a way that relates to their area of expertise or passion. “You’re a scientist. What would be your hypothesis for what will happen if x does y.” “You’re a lawyer. How would you argue the case for why x should be elected.” There are other strategies. But the important thing is to just keep them talking until you find the key to unlocking their guardedness.

To establish rapport with a guarded high-profile interviewee: 1.Do your research. 2. Be respectful and professional. 3.Ask open-ended questions. 4. Listen attentively. 5. Show empathy.

If it is an exclusive face-to-face interview with the interviewee in his room in the office and there is enough time to have a pre-interview conversation, you can start by asking for a photo of the interviewee who is displayed in the room. Usually it's a photo he's proud of. You can ask him when the photo was taken, and what event it was. Generally people will like to talk about something they are proud of. It can be a kind of ice breaker moment for you.

When interviewing a guarded high-profile individual, it’s essential to approach the conversation as just that – a conversation, not an interrogation. By framing it this way, you help ease the tension and create a more open environment. Additionally, asking thoughtful follow-up questions based on their responses shows you’re genuinely engaged and listening. This flexibility demonstrates respect for their perspective and can encourage them to share more. By keeping the tone conversational and focusing on meaningful follow-ups, you can build rapport and gain valuable insights.