How should you address a neutral interview subject?

Addressing a neutral interview subject effectively involves building rapport and encouraging open communication. The best approach is to appeal to their sense of justice, as this strategy aligns with fundamental interviewing principles. By invoking a sense of fairness and morality, interviewers can create an environment where the subject feels valued and understood. This can foster trust, prompting the individual to be more forthcoming and engaged in the conversation.

By focusing on their sense of justice, interviewers can connect on a shared human level, which may lead them to elaborate on their perspectives and experiences. This method can result in gaining valuable insights that might not surface from a more confrontational or directive approach.

The other options, while they may have some merit in different contexts, are less effective with neutral subjects. Confrontation often leads to defensiveness, while leading questions can compromise the reliability of the responses. Empathy is always important, but it functions better in conjunction with an appeal to justice rather than standing as the primary method of engagement.