The first question
Set a direction without deciding the answer in advance.
In conversation
The opening question shapes the space in which the rest of the interview happens. A very broad invitation can leave the candidate guessing, while a narrow one can hide useful context.
Our practice begins by identifying what the interviewer needs to understand first. Participants compare different openings and observe how they affect the answer.
The debrief asks what became easier to explain and what remained unclear. A deliberate beginning helps the interviewer choose the next question rather than follow a fixed sequence automatically.