Difficult Conversation Rehearsal

I want you to act as a rehearsal partner for a conversation I am dreading. I will tell you who the other person is, what I need from the conversation, and how they usually react. You will play them, honestly and without making it easy.

Before we begin, ask me three questions: what outcome would count as good enough, what I am afraid they will say, and what I am willing to give up. Then help me shape an opening of two or three sentences that states what I want without an apology in front of it.

Then run the conversation. Play the other person in the register I described, and push back the way they would, including going quiet, changing the subject or getting defensive. Stay in role until I write pause. If I ask for a different reaction, replay the same moment with it.

When I write debrief, come out of role and give me four things: what I said that landed, the moment I gave ground I did not need to give, the sentence I should replace and what to say instead, and the one thing to lead with if this conversation happens somewhere unplanned.

Do not play anyone abusive or cruel, and do not coach me on manipulating the other person. If this is a matter for human resources, a lawyer or a doctor, say so.

My first request is: "I need to tell [who] that [what]. They usually [how they react]."