How do researchers maintain their enthusiasm for understanding people after thousands of interviews and countless hours of analysis? On an episode of "Insightful Inspiration," host Isabelle Landreville sat down with empathy activist Rob Volpe to explore how veteran researchers keep their passion for human understanding and insights burning bright.
Both found their love and interest for human understanding early in their careers and have been going strong for decades now. Without any sign of slowing down, they are adapting to the ever-changing field of market research.
With decades of experience between them, both Rob and Isabelle note how their approaches have evolved. Early in their careers, they relied more heavily on structured techniques and external validations. Isabelle admits to once having "lucky shirts" and specific routines to help her feel prepared.
For Isabelle, starting so young in the field presented unique challenges. "I had to lie about my age to get credibility with clients," she reveals. "I started being 32 when I was probably 25." The pretense lasted several years." Unlike many who entered qualitative research as a second career from marketing, Isabelle had started straight out of school.
Now, they find confidence in their ability to connect authentically with anyone, anywhere. "I think I'm done with that now," Isabelle reflects. "Regardless of what's happening, I can still make it work."
The art of creating safe spaces
One skill that deepens with experience is the ability to create environments where people feel safe to share. Rob describes himself as a "portable safe space" for people to open up, regardless of their perspectives or backgrounds.
"I will hold space for people to open up and share. That's the gift of what qualitative moderators do," Rob explains. This ability to create trust and openness has become increasingly valuable in our divided world.
The research skills extend well beyond professional settings. It’s part of their lives. Isabelle notes how at large parties where different social circles mix, friends secretly ask her to "do your thing" and help people mingle. As she says, "I feel like everybody's a potential friend. I can ask questions to people like I feel comfortable everywhere."
The balance of empathy and boundaries
The ability to hold space for others' emotions while maintaining professional boundaries is crucial for career longevity. Rob describes learning to release the emotional weight of participants' stories through techniques like "breath healing."
"You need to be in a good space – emotional, psychological, intellectual – to build empathy," Isabelle explains. "It's a full body experience." This understanding of self-care has become increasingly important as researchers tackle more emotionally challenging topics.
Both researchers acknowledge there are times when personal experience can make certain research topics too emotionally challenging. Isabelle shares her experience of needing to step away from a project that hit too close to home, emphasizing the importance of knowing one's emotional limits.
The power of perpetual curiosity
Both Rob and Isabelle emphasize the importance of maintaining genuine curiosity. They approach each new conversation as an opportunity for discovery, fighting the temptation to assume they know what people will say.
"It's like Christmas morning," Rob says, referencing a chapter in his book - “Tell me more about that.” "You don't know what you're going to get." This mindset helps prevent burnout and keeps the work fresh, even after thousands of interviews.
Rob shares how his ongoing longitudinal study about Americans navigating political divisions continues to surprise him, revealing unexpected commonalities in people's fears and hopes despite their different political perspectives.
Building bridges in a divided world
The skills developed through qualitative research have broader applications in our divided world. Both researchers find themselves using their professional tools to bridge personal and social divides.
"Everybody has the best intentions," Isabelle reminds us. "No one gets out of bed in the morning wanting to do something wrong." This perspective, honed through years of research, helps maintain empathy even in challenging situations.
Rob's work studying political divisions has taught him valuable lessons about creating dialogue across differences.
"We respect each other," one of his long-term research participants explained. "You're not trying to change my point of view; I'm not trying to change yours – we're asking questions to learn and understand."
Nurturing the next generation
For both Rob and Isabelle, mentoring the next generation helps maintain their passion. They emphasize teaching not just techniques but mindset - how to be present, authentic, and genuinely curious about others' experiences.
Isabelle focuses on helping young researchers develop the right emotional and mental framework before diving into specific techniques.
"You can ask every question," she shares. "It's just a matter of when and how."
This approach to mentoring reflects a deeper understanding of what makes successful researchers - not just technical skills, but the ability to create genuine human connections and maintain curiosity over a long career.
A lifelong journey of discovery
As the conversation wraps, both agree that their work has become more than a profession - it's a way of being in the world. Their ability to listen deeply, connect authentically, and maintain curiosity continues to enrich both their professional and personal lives.
The key to keeping the passion alive? Remember that every conversation holds the potential for human understanding and discovery, every person has a unique story to tell, and the art of listening is a lifelong journey of learning and growth.
For these veteran researchers, the love affair with understanding human experience continues to evolve and deepen, proving that genuine curiosity and empathy never grow old.
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