A hard conversations toolkit helps managers prepare, speak plainly, and document the follow-up without improvising under pressure. It should make expectations clearer for the employee and the record cleaner for the company.
#Toolkit contents
- Conversation prep worksheet
- Opening script
- Clarifying question bank
- Employee response notes
- Follow-up email template
- Escalation checklist
#Follow-up template
Hi [Name],
Thank you for meeting today. To confirm my understanding, we discussed [topic]. The expectation is [standard], the next step is [deliverable], and the follow-up date is [date]. Support available: [support]. Please let me know if I missed anything.
Download the hard conversations toolkit.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a hard conversations toolkit?
- It is a set of prep prompts, scripts, and follow-up templates for performance, behavior, workload, and role-change conversations.
- Who should use it?
- Managers, HR partners, and founders who need consistent language before sensitive employee conversations.
- What should happen after a hard conversation?
- Send a factual recap with expectations, dates, support, and next check-in.