One of the hardest things to spot in an interview, investigation, or even a casual conversation is avoidance.
Because avoidance doesn’t always look like avoidance. Sometimes it looks like cooperation.
A staff member might thank you for the excellent question, nod thoughtfully, then answer something completely different.
On the surface, it feels polite. It feels like they’re engaging. But what they’re really doing is shifting to safer ground.
I’ve learned to bring people back to the original question. Gently, firmly, and repeatedly. If you don’t, avoidance will steer you off track before you realise it’s happening.