I’ve been a Certified Forensic Interviewer since 2015. In my previous roles in retail, it was the best-in-class standard for interview and interrogation techniques. You might be wondering why the CEO of the largest manufacturer of cash protection tamper-evident bags—and the fastest-growing RFID and EAS provider in the world—would decide to take the leap and enroll in the CFI Evolved course. Hopefully, this article will explain.
I no longer conduct interviews or interrogations as part of my current role, and it’s been several years since I last did. Over the course of my career, I’ve probably conducted over a thousand interviews and interrogations. Interviewing was a true passion of mine—I read every book I could find on the subject and took every class available. I’m still actively involved with the International Association of Interviewers, and I make it a point to take any new courses that become available.
When I first saw the CFI Evolved course, I thought, I don’t have time to take this test or complete the coursework. I certainly don’t need it for my current role, and I don’t see how it will enhance what I do. But then I reconsidered. I thought, How cool would it be to hone my skills?
If you’re in the investigations field, you’ll know the Wicklander-Zulawski (WZ) method has many practical use cases, even in the business world. Think about some of the initial steps in the WZ method. If we look at the underlying principles that support the flow of the WZ approach, we can see how they can easily be translated into the business world or everyday conversations.
Professional Engagement
This involves briefly identifying yourself and creating a positive first impression, creating a framework for the conversation.
Developing Rapport
This step focuses on building trust and making the other person feel comfortable through a sincere dialogue offering autonomy, empathy, and transparency.
Establishing Credibility
Here, you clearly share who you are and what you do in a transparent way, so the person understands your purpose in the conversation and can relate to your position.
Active Listening and Projecting Empathy
Active listening is all about understanding the other person’s stance and being fully present throughout the conversation.
Business Essentials
These principles—professional engagement, rapport building, clear introductions, and active listening—are essential to nearly every business interaction. Whether you’re in sales, support, technical roles, or the C-suite, preparing thoughtfully and establishing trust from the outset lays the foundation for a successful exchange.
The list goes on: establishing credibility, clarifying the reason for the business conversation, and even setting ground rules are especially important in negotiations.
I’ve always seen myself as a lifelong learner, and what separates extremely successful people from the rest is their commitment to continual learning. The CFI Evolved course gave me new tools for my toolbox, refreshed and updated some things I’d learned before, and sharpened my existing skills. It also gave me new ways to handle interactions with difficult individuals.
I firmly believe that the CFI certification provides essential life skills for executives. This isn’t a commercial for WZ or the CFI—it’s a reminder of how important it is to stay relevant in your industry. I believe this certification helps me stay connected and demonstrates my commitment to the industry.
Regardless of where you are in your career—whether you’re just starting out or already seasoned—I can assure you that this certification will help you both professionally and personally. All the principles we discussed about business conversations apply equally in your personal life. For example, if you’re picking your child up from school and stop to talk to a teacher, you still introduce yourself, explain who you are and what you do, and build rapport. If you’re visiting the school to address an issue, you prepare, introduce yourself, establish rapport, and clearly explain the purpose of your visit.
The theme here is clear: a structured, nonconfrontational approach to any conversation almost always leads to a better outcome.
If you’re wondering how long it took me to complete the class—it took me a couple of weeks, mostly during late nights—but it was absolutely worth the investment.
If you’re looking to sharpen your interview and interrogation skills, or improve your leadership and communication abilities, I highly recommend taking the CFI Evolved course. If you’re already a Certified Forensic Interviewer, invest the time in yourself. You’ll not only feel more confident but also establish greater credibility and get better results.