Which question type is crucial to avoid during interviews to maintain cooperation?

Avoiding poorly formulated leading questions during interviews is crucial for maintaining cooperation because these types of questions can create an environment of suspicion, defensiveness, or resistance from the interviewee. Leading questions often suggest a certain answer or imply that the interviewer has preconceived notions about the situation being discussed. This can make the interviewee feel pressured or manipulated, which is counterproductive to gaining truthful and collaborative responses.

In interviews, fostering an atmosphere of trust and openness is essential. When interviewees perceive that their responses might lead them to unwanted conclusions or if they feel misunderstood due to poorly structured questions, they are less likely to provide honest or complete information. Instead, questions should be open-ended and neutral, allowing the interviewee to express their thoughts freely.

Reflective questions, directive questions, and diversion questions all serve particular purposes and can be valuable in an interview context when used appropriately. Reflective questions can help clarify what an interviewee has said, directive questions can guide the conversation effectively, and diversion questions can allow for a tactical shift in discussion. However, they do not carry the same risk of eroding trust as poorly formulated leading questions, which can compromise the overall interview process.