The Graves Model (after Prof. Clare Graves 1914-1986) is a values meta-model, a developmental model for personality evolution and the evolution of cultures and organizations.
Action Diagnostic Approach
Behind the practical application of Graves questions lies an action diagnostic approach. The motivational power of Graves levels becomes visible in the answers and body language signals of the interviewees.
The Graves Model is a global model of values development for cultures, organizations, and individuals. Graves questions provide the interviewer with an enormous amount of information about candidates. Graves levels focus on values and corporate culture. It's about "cultural matching" of candidates with the target company.
What is Action Diagnostics?
Action diagnostics places practice-relevant behavioral patterns at the center of consideration, not fixed characteristics. Behavioral patterns in the context of Graves diagnostics refer to the expression of value motivation through concrete behavior.
Motivational power and maturity level of expressing value motivation across different Graves levels become visible in the answers and observable body language signals of the interviewees. Therefore, interview techniques illuminate specific situations ("Critical Incident Technique") with the goal of looking beneath the presentation surface of candidates.
Important Aspects of Graves Questions
Generally, the following aspects should be considered when using Graves questions:
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More than 70% of information about candidates' personality comes from their non-verbal responses!
Particularly observe the first seconds after a question. The unconscious responds faster than the conscious mind. -
Observe candidates' congruence:
Do body language and voice tone match the content of the message in their responses? -
How meaningful are the answers to individual Graves levels?
Is the question emotionally accepted and answered with interest? How detailed and emotionally convincing are the answers? -
Do candidates respond with Graves values from the same level?
Or do they shift to a Graves level where they have more competence? (e.g., question about Graves3 answered with Graves5 values) -
Watch for dissociation, depersonalization, and theorizing:
These behaviors in Graves questions indicate lack of competence and strength at the respective Graves level. This becomes particularly evident in follow-up questions.
Important Note
Dissociation means emotionally pushing away the question.
Depersonalization means answering personal questions about one's own experiences impersonally and generalizingly.
Theorizing shows when concrete situations are only answered abstractly.
Learn the Interview Technique Practically!
For practical learning of this interview technique, we recommend participating in the seminar "The Graves Model in Recruiting".
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