Claude Prompt to Prepare for a Difficult Work Conversation
Rehearse a hard conversation — a raise negotiation, a conflict with a coworker, or delivering bad news — before you have it.
The Prompt
I need to have a difficult conversation. Context: [DESCRIBE THE SITUATION AND THE OTHER PERSON'S LIKELY PERSPECTIVE]. My goal: [WHAT OUTCOME YOU WANT]. Help me prepare by: 1) writing a calm opening line that states the issue without blame, 2) listing 2-3 likely pushbacks or reactions and how I could respond to each, 3) suggesting one thing I should NOT say, and why. Keep tone professional, not scripted or robotic.
Example
Context: asking my manager for a raise after taking on a teammate's workload for three months without a title change. My goal: a 10-15% salary increase or a clear path to promotion.
An opening line acknowledging appreciation for the opportunity while stating the expanded scope factually, two likely pushbacks (budget freeze, "let's revisit next cycle") with suggested responses, and a note not to compare salary to a specific coworker by name.
Tips for Better Results
- Be honest about the other person's likely perspective in your input — vague context produces vague, unusable advice.
- Ask Claude to role-play the other person's response so you can practice your reply in the same conversation.
- Use this for personal conversations too, not just work — just adjust the tone request.
FAQ
Will this make me sound scripted?
Use the output as a mental framework rather than a script to read word-for-word — internalize the key points and let your own delivery stay natural.
Can I use this for conflict with a coworker instead of a manager?
Yes, the same three-part structure works for peer conflicts, client pushback, or even personal disagreements — just describe the relationship and context accurately.