Prompt Library 💼 Business Prepare for a Difficult Conversation
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Prepare for a Difficult Conversation

Get a structured framework and script for any challenging professional conversation.
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The Prompt

Help me prepare for the following difficult professional conversation:

Conversation type: [e.g. giving critical feedback / letting someone go / pushing back on a client / negotiating a raise / addressing underperformance]
Context: [describe the situation and history]
My relationship with this person: [manager / direct report / peer / client / partner]
My goal for the conversation: [what I want to achieve]
My concern: [what I'm worried might go wrong]
Their likely reaction: [how you think they'll respond]

Provide:
1. The ideal opening line (the first 2 sentences)
2. The core message in 3 bullet points I should communicate no matter what
3. How to frame feedback using the SBI model (Situation, Behaviour, Impact)
4. Their 3 most likely responses and how to handle each
5. What NOT to say and why
6. How to close the conversation constructively regardless of how it goes
7. A full draft script I can practise from

📝 Fill in the blanks

Replace these placeholders with your own content:

[e.g. giving critical feedback / letting someone go / pushing back on a client / negotiating a raise / addressing underperformance]
[describe the situation and history]
[manager / direct report / peer / client / partner]
[what I want to achieve]
[what I'm worried might go wrong]
[how you think they'll respond]

How to use this prompt

1
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2
Replace the placeholders

Swap out anything in [BRACKETS] with your specific details.

3
Paste into Any

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