door one

Scripts for when you have to say something hard

You don't need theory. You need the first sentence.

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Feedback
Direct without being harsh
Difficult Feedback Script
A way to say the hard thing clearly, the first time, without softening it into nothing.
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Performance
Naming an issue without making it a confrontation
Performance Conversation Script
What to say when someone on your team isn't hitting the mark.
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Compensation
Say the number, then the real reason
Compensation Conversation Script
Word-for-word scripts for approving a raise and denying one, plus a prep template.
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Performance Improvement Plan
Specific enough to actually work
Performance Improvement Plan Template
A defensible, week-by-week record, not a form you fill out once and file away.
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Termination Checklist
The checklist, the script, and what never to say
Termination Conversation, Manager Checklist
Short, direct, defensible, plus every Legal/HR tip for the moment it goes sideways.
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Not their fault
Say that plainly, in the first sentence
Layoff Conversation, Manager Template
A different conversation from a performance-based termination, treated as one.
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Bad News to a Customer
Outage, delay, bug, or a mistake your team made
Delivering Bad News to a Customer
Pre-call checklist, the script, and what to say versus what never to say.
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Acknowledge fast
Fix it after, not instead of
Client Escalation Response Script
Make them feel heard and in control before you've solved anything.
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Announce
Get ahead of the rumor mill
Policy Change Announcement Script
Delivering an unpopular change without pretending it's good news.
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Conflict Resolution
A 7-step mediation flow
Conflict Resolution Script
Prep, ground rules, uninterrupted perspectives, shared goals, options, owned actions, and a check-in.