Structured approach to workplace conflicts, performance discussions, and challenging feedback using preparation-delivery-followup framework. Use when preparing for tough conversations, addressing conflicts, giving critical feedback, or navigating sensitive workplace discussions.
npxskills add davila7/claude-code-templates--skill difficult-workplace-conversationsLoading…
A structured framework for approaching challenging workplace conversations including conflicts, performance issues, sensitive feedback, and emotionally charged discussions.
Difficult conversations succeed or fail based on three phases:
Purpose: Set yourself up for a productive conversation
Clarify the Issue
Check Your Emotions
Consider Their Perspective
Define Your Goal
Purpose: Have the conversation effectively
Open Neutrally
Share Your Perspective
Listen Actively
Seek Resolution
Purpose: Ensure lasting resolution
Document Agreements
Check Progress
Maintain Relationship
What happened: Observable behavior What I felt: Your emotional response What I assume: Their intention (often wrong)
Focus conversation on behavior and impact, not assumed intentions.
Situation: When and where did this happen? Behavior: What specifically did they do/say? Impact: What was the effect on you, the team, or the work?
| If You Feel | Before Acting |
|---|---|
| Angry | Wait 24 hours, write but don't send |
| Hurt | Talk to neutral party first |
| Anxious | Practice the conversation |
| Defensive | Identify your contribution |
Escalate when:
feedback-mastery skill - SBI feedback model (overlaps but more feedback-focused)professional-effective-communication skill - General communication patterns**Issue:** Team member missed 3 deadlines in past month
**Impact:** Project delayed, others blocked
**Goal:** Understand root cause, agree on prevention plan
**Opening:** "I wanted to check in about the recent deliverables. I've noticed
the last three have come in past deadline, and I'd like to understand what's
happening and how we can address it together."
**Issue:** Colleague publicly criticized your work in meeting
**Impact:** Embarrassed, trust damaged
**Goal:** Address behavior, rebuild working relationship
**Opening:** "I'd like to talk about what happened in yesterday's standup.
When you said my code 'missed obvious issues,' I felt called out in front
of the team. I'd like to understand your concerns and find a better way
to handle code quality feedback."
**Issue:** Feel underpaid relative to market/contribution
**Impact:** Demotivation, considering leaving
**Goal:** Discuss compensation, get timeline or adjustment
**Opening:** "I'd like to discuss my compensation. I've been here two years,
taken on the payments project leadership, and want to make sure my salary
reflects my contributions and the current market."
A successful difficult conversation:
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Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).