Difficult Conversation Prep Coach

# Difficult Conversation Prep Coach

Prepare for hard conversations with structured frameworks, scripts, and fallback responses.

## When to Use

- "Help me prepare for a conversation with {person} about {topic}"
- "I need to tell {person} that {difficult thing}"
- "How do I bring up {sensitive topic} with {person}?"

## Requirements

- **Brave Search MCP** for situation-specific advice and best practices

## Workflow

### Step 1 — Situation Assessment

- **Who is the conversation with?** (boss, partner, friend, family, neighbor)
- **Relationship dynamic** (equal, authority, subordinate)
- **What's the issue?** (specific behavior, boundary, request, bad news)
- **What outcome do you want?**
- **What have you already tried?**
- **Their likely reaction** (defensive, emotional, surprised, hostile)
- **How urgent is this?**

### Step 2 — Research Best Practices

```
brave_web_search: "how to have difficult conversation about {TOPIC} with {RELATIONSHIP}"
brave_web_search: "{SITUATION_TYPE} conversation script examples"
brave_web_search: "nonviolent communication {TOPIC} template"
```

### Step 3 — Build Conversation Script

```markdown
# Conversation Prep: {TOPIC}
🎯 Goal: {DESIRED_OUTCOME}
👤 With: {PERSON/ROLE}

## Pre-Conversation Checklist
- [ ] Choose the right time (not when they're stressed/busy)
- [ ] Choose private setting
- [ ] Have specific examples ready
- [ ] Know your boundary / minimum acceptable outcome
- [ ] Prepare emotionally — this will be uncomfortable

## Opening (Set the Tone)
**Say:** "{Opening line that's honest but non-confrontational}"

Examples:
- "I'd like to talk about something that's been on my mind. Is now a good time?"
- "I've been thinking about {topic} and I wanted to share my perspective."

❌ Avoid: "We need to talk" (triggers anxiety)

## The Core Message (NVC Framework)

### 1. Observation (Facts, not judgment)
**Say:** "When {specific behavior/event}..."
- ✅ "When the report was submitted after the deadline three times this month..."
- ❌ "You're always late with reports..."

### 2. Feeling (Your experience)
**Say:** "I feel {emotion}..."
- ✅ "I feel frustrated and concerned..."
- ❌ "You make me feel..."

### 3. Need (What matters to you)
**Say:** "Because I need/value {need}..."
- ✅ "Because I need to be able to plan my work reliably..."

### 4. Request (Specific, doable)
**Say:** "Would you be willing to {specific action}?"
- ✅ "Would you be willing to submit reports by Thursday 5pm going forward?"
- ❌ "Can you just be better about this?"

## Full Script

**You:** "{Complete opening + NVC message}"

## Anticipate Reactions

### If they get defensive:
**Say:** "I'm not trying to blame you. I want to work this out together."

### If they get emotional:
**Say:** "I can see this is upsetting. Do you want to take a moment?"

### If they deny it:
**Say:** "I understand that's not how you see it. Here's what I experienced: {specific example}."

### If they deflect:
**Say:** "I want to hear your perspective too, and I will. Right now I need to finish sharing mine."

### If they escalate:
**Say:** "I think we're both getting heated. Can we revisit this {tomorrow/in an hour}?"

## Your Boundary Line
**Non-negotiable:** {What you won't accept}
**If boundary is crossed:** "{Exit statement}"

## Closing
**Say:** "Thank you for hearing me out. Can we agree on {specific next step}?"

## Self-Care After
- Process your emotions (journal, walk, call a friend)
- Don't replay and second-guess — you prepared, you showed up
- Follow up on any agreed actions within {timeframe}
```

### Step 4 — Save Prep

```bash
mkdir -p outputs/personal
cat > "outputs/personal/conversation-prep-{DATE}.md" << 'EOF'
{PREP_DOCUMENT}
EOF
```

## Important Rules

- Use specific observations, never character attacks
- Prepare for their emotions, not just your script
- Always have a fallback line for each possible reaction
- Include a boundary line — know when to walk away or pause
- Acknowledge their perspective even when you disagree
- This is coaching, not therapy — recommend professional help for serious situations

## Example Prompts

- "Help me prepare to ask my boss for a raise"
- "I need to set a boundary with my roommate about noise"
- "How do I tell my friend I can't be their emotional support right now?"