The Situation
Someone on your team isn't meeting expectations. You've noticed patterns: missed deadlines, quality issues, or behavior problems. You need to address it before it gets worse.
Why This Conversation Is Difficult
- Fear of hurting feelings or damaging the relationship
- Worry they'll get defensive or emotional
- Uncertainty about how specific to be
- Concern about being seen as unfair
Your Goals
- Be specific about the behavior, not vague
- Focus on impact, not intention
- Listen to their perspective
- Agree on concrete next steps
Phrases That Work
"
I want to talk about something I've noticed. In the last three projects, deadlines were missed by X days.
"
The impact is that the team has to scramble, and clients notice delays.
"
I'm not questioning your commitment. I want to understand what's getting in the way.
"
What support do you need from me to hit these deadlines?
Common Objections & How to Handle Them
"It's not my fault, it's because of X"
Acknowledge context, then refocus on what's in their control
"Nobody told me this was a problem"
Take responsibility for delayed feedback, then focus forward
"Other people do this too"
Keep focus on this conversation, don't compare
Ready to Practice?
Try this conversation with an AI avatar. Get real-time feedback and build confidence.
Start Practicing This Scenario