Paste any of these into Claude or ChatGPT. Swap the words in [brackets] for your own.
Prompt 1: See it from their side
I need to talk to [person] about [issue]. Before I figure out what to say, how does this probably look from their side? What are they worried about?
Prompt 2: Nail the first sentence
Give me 3 ways to start a conversation with [person] about [issue]. Keep it calm, say the problem in one sentence, and leave room for them to say their piece.
Prompt 3: Practise the pushback
Play [person]. I'm going to ask for [request]. Push back the way they probably would, one objection at a time, and wait for me to answer each one.
Prompt 4: Know your walk-away point
Here's what I want: [ideal outcome]. Help me work out what I'll ask for first, what I'd be OK with, and where I'd say no. Give me the reason for each.
Prompt 5: Get your facts straight
Here's what happened: [notes]. Separate the facts from my opinions, and tell me which facts to bring up, with a date or an example for each.
Prompt 6: Take the blame out of it
Here's what I'm planning to say: [draft]. Flag anything that sounds like blame or exaggeration, like always or never, and rewrite those bits.
Prompt 7: Put it in writing after
We just agreed on [what was agreed]. Write me a short, friendly message that confirms who's doing what and by when.