Capability Interview

Delivering insight

Bioss’s early work established the importance of matching an individual’s capability with their role. In the 1970s, to enable precise matching, our founder Dr Gillian Stamp began devising a groundbreaking methodology to identify capability and people’s potential to make decisions in the face of complexity.

The methodology’s focus on decision making in complex and uncertain situations drew interest from the US military. Early research was able to be undertaken with the Pentagon, to hone validity and test each stage of the interview. The strong outcome of the research project led the US Army, under Colin Powell’s command, to use the process to identify potential 5 star Generals.

Matching current and potential capability

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The Bioss Capability Interview, using our unique methodology, is an in-depth, immersive process that gives a unique appreciation of an individual’s approach to work. It allows for a rich exploration of their career to date, the complexity of work with which they are most comfortable, their attitude to uncertainty, decision making style and approach to problem solving.

By the end of the interview the participant and interviewer will have reached a mutual understanding of their present capability and potential for longer term development.

A fundamental strength of the Capability Interview is the ability to recognise and build cognitive diversity in organisations. It is proven to be non-discriminatory on gender, age, ethnicity and education.

Mapping potential capability

One of the Capability Interview’s many unique features is an ability to predict the likely growth of an individual’s capability. We can accurately map individual or multiple candidates’ present capability and their potential career development over the next 5 – 10 years. This allows an organisation to take an informed, long term view on any team member or external candidate.

Unique, proven methodology

Over 150,000 Capability Interviews conducted to date

Trusted by organisations around the world for over 40 years

Four stage process: each underpinned by rigorous research

Verified accuracy of 0.79 – 0.92 in predicting potential capability

Dataset of 150,000 individuals

The process

  • Senior Bioss consultant conducts an analysis of the complexity of the role
  • 3-4 hour interview with a senior Bioss consultant. A Career Path Appreciation in 4 parts:
    • Exploration of professional experience to date and levels of complexity experienced
    • A collaborative exploration of the participant’s work related decision making approach and tolerance of complexity
    • An experiential task observing the participant’s problem solving style and attitude to uncertainty in real time
    • An introduction to concept of flow and complexity of work
  • Interview can be done in person or virtually
  • After the interview the Bioss consultant reflects on responses and analyses levels of complexity of current and past roles and comes to a view of the participant’s current and potential capability
  • The participant and Bioss consultant then meet for a feedback session on the initial report.
  • This feedback session also informs the final report
  • A detailed final report is sent to the participant
  • Bioss consultant presents the final report to the sponsoring organisation

Outcomes and benefits

A rich appreciation of an individual’s approach to work and their leadership qualities

Our methodology will always give you a fresh perspective on a candidate

Unlike other interviews we deliver an accurate prediction of potential capability

It is a collaborative process that is a valuable experience for the participant

Our insightful, detailed report will aid accurate, informed recruitment or promotion

An antidote to the Peter Principle – promoting or recruiting someone into a role above or below their capability wastes valuable time and resources