Change Your Perspective

The farther we step back, the more of the picture we can see.

Watch yourself.

Throughout my journey in coaching and investigative interviewing, I've discovered that stepping back from a session or interview allows for clearer insights. While studying for my coaching qualification, I practiced recording sessions (with my coachee's permission, of course) and reviewed them afterwards. It was, of course, an unpleasant and uncomfortable concept but it revealed not only my shortcomings but also some genuine strengths in my coaching approach—strengths that I often overlooked in the moment, focusing instead on what I perceived as imperfections. It's natural for us humans to have a negativity bias, which can undermine our confidence and distort our perception of our abilities.

I encourage anyone involved in investigative interviews to take the time to review their recordings. Watching them can illuminate what truly transpired during the interview, including how you asked questions or utilised pauses. Were you genuinely listening, or were you preoccupied with formulating your next question? Was it a good question? How did the interviewee actually react to it?

There's a wealth of knowledge to be gained from self-reflection. By stepping back, you can gain clarity and identify areas for improvement.

Afterwards take a moment to reflect on your observations and develop a plan to replicate successful strategies or refine aspects that didn't meet your expectations. There is always room for growth if we strive to see reality clearly, rather than through the lens of our perceptions. Give it a try—you might be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.