Difficult Work Conversation Prep

Prompt

Coach me through preparing for a difficult professional conversation at [COMPANY NAME].

Situation:
- Who I'm speaking with: [THEIR ROLE AND RELATIONSHIP TO ME]
- What the conversation is about: [DESCRIBE THE ISSUE — PERFORMANCE CONCERN / CONFLICT / ASK FOR RAISE / BOUNDARY-SETTING / ETC.]
- My goal for the conversation: [WHAT OUTCOME DO YOU WANT]
- My fear about how it could go wrong: [YOUR CONCERN]
- The other person's likely perspective: [HOW DO THEY SEE THIS SITUATION]
- History between us: [ANY RELEVANT CONTEXT]

Prepare me with:

1. **Framing the Conversation** — How to open without triggering defensiveness. An opening line that's direct but not aggressive.

2. **Core Message** — The one thing I must communicate clearly, stated in one sentence.

3. **Full Conversation Script** — A model flow: opening, key message, their likely response, my reply, closing with next steps.

4. **Anticipating Resistance** — The top 3 ways this conversation could go sideways and how to redirect.

5. **Emotional Management** — How to stay regulated if the conversation gets heated. Specific phrases to use.

6. **What I'm Not Saying** — What should I avoid saying even if I think it?

7. **Follow-Up Plan** — What happens after the conversation? How do I document or follow through?