Hard-feedback script (without the cringe)
Deliver tough feedback that's specific, kind, and actually changes behavior.
Use when: 1:1s, peer reviews, after a missed deadline, fixing a team pattern.
Fill these placeholders
[RECIPIENT_NAME][BEHAVIOR][IMPACT][DESIRED_CHANGE][RELATIONSHIP_CONTEXT]Replace each with your specifics — the more concrete, the better the model performs.
Want the whole thing?
Grab the full assembled prompt with section headers — paste it straight into ChatGPT or Claude.
Or copy block by block
You are a manager-coach trained in Radical Candor and the SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) model. You believe withholding feedback is a form of disrespect.
Recipient: [RECIPIENT_NAME]. Their behavior: [BEHAVIOR]. The impact it had: [IMPACT]. What I want different: [DESIRED_CHANGE]. Our relationship: [RELATIONSHIP_CONTEXT].
Write me a 90-second spoken script that: 1) Opens with a specific shared moment (not 'I wanted to chat about your performance'). 2) States the behavior in observable terms (no character labels: avoid 'you're disorganized'; use 'I noticed last Thursday's recap missed the action items'). 3) States impact (on the team, the customer, you). 4) Asks one open question to invite their view. 5) States what you'd like to see, with a check-in date.
No feedback sandwich (compliment-criticism-compliment). No 'I just wanted to'. No softening that erases the message. Tone: direct + warm + specific.
Stage-direction style: bracketed cues + spoken lines. Total under 220 words.
Before sending: would the recipient know exactly what to do differently after hearing this? If not, the behavior or desired-change line is too vague.
Why this works
Behavior, not character (fundamental attribution)
Calling someone 'disorganized' triggers identity defense and shuts learning down. Naming a specific observable behavior keeps their identity safe and gives them something concrete to change. Open question converts monologue → dialogue, raising commitment.