I never write my questions out verbatim, and I never read a question word for word from a page.

Why? Think about an interview you’ve been part of. The conversation is flowing, the person you’re speaking with is engaged, and then—suddenly—the interviewer glances at their list and reads the next question exactly as written. Bam. It no longer fits the context of where the conversation has naturally gone.

Now the interviewer has a dilemma: Do they adjust the question on the fly? Ask it as written even though it no longer makes sense? Skip it entirely? None of those options feels ideal. Even when adjustments are made, the momentum of the conversation often suffers. At worst, the question comes out awkwardly and leaves the interviewee confused.

The result? The person across from you may believe you haven’t been listening—or worse, that you don’t believe them. That’s an instant collaboration killer.

What I recommend

I plan for what I want to know, not what I’m going to ask. And I capture those “want‑to‑knows” with as few words as possible.

Why it works

You need a clear plan for the information you’re seeking. I always have a document that outlines the essential areas I must cover. But by writing them in shorthand, I force myself to show up fully in the conversation and communicate in the style that works best for the other party.

When I glance at my notes, the shorthand cues quickly remind me of the core point I need to explore. From there, I can fold the question naturally into the discussion, preserving the conversational flow while still guiding the interview with intention.

Common objections

When I walk through this method in our investigation courses, people often gravitate toward writing long‑form, fully scripted questions. It’s a way to manage uncertainty and reduce anxiety. I understand that instinct.

But here’s what I remind them: we are all deeply experienced at having conversations with people. The more our preparation and interview style support a natural, free‑flowing exchange—anchored by our clear understanding of what we need to learn—the stronger the evidence we gather.

And gathering strong, reliable evidence is, after all, the work we’re here to do.

– Dylan