Skills difficult-workplace-conversations
📦

difficult-workplace-conversations

Content revision r1 Safe ⚙️ External commands

Prepare Difficult Workplace Conversations

Difficult workplace conversations often fail when people enter them angry, vague, or unprepared. This skill gives structured preparation, scripts, and follow-up steps for clearer outcomes.

Supports: Claude Codex Code(CC)
🥉 79 Bronze

Install with my Agent

Copy this request to your Agent. It includes the canonical Skill page and manifest.

Agent request
Review the Skillstore skill "difficult-workplace-conversations" from https://skillstore.io/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations.md and its manifest at https://skillstore.io/api/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations/manifest. Verify the artifact. You may proceed after verification, subject to the environment's own policy.

Your Agent should still show its plan and request any confirmation required by the security policy.

Agent-readable resources

Use these links when an AI agent, crawler, or script needs clean context instead of reading the full page.

Markdown detail GET /skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations.md Signed manifest GET /api/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations/manifest Signed lockfile GET /api/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations/lockfile

Test it

Using "difficult-workplace-conversations". I need to address three missed deadlines with a teammate.

Expected outcome:

  • Clarified issue: three recent deliverables were late and blocked project work.
  • Suggested opening: I want to discuss the recent timelines and understand what is getting in the way.
  • Next step: agree on prevention steps, support needed, and a check-in date.

Using "difficult-workplace-conversations". A peer criticized my work in a meeting and I felt embarrassed.

Expected outcome:

  • Fact: the peer criticized the work during the meeting.
  • Impact: you felt embarrassed and trust was damaged.
  • Opening: I want to talk about yesterday. I would like feedback shared in a way that helps us improve.

Using "difficult-workplace-conversations". I want to ask my manager for a raise but I am nervous.

Expected outcome:

  • Preparation focus: clarify contributions, market context, and timing.
  • Suggested opening: I would like to discuss my compensation and how it reflects my current responsibilities.
  • Follow-up: ask for a decision timeline or the criteria for a future adjustment.

Security Audit

Safe
v4 • 7/7/2026 Open versioned report

All 39 static findings are false positives after context review. The reconnaissance hits are workplace conversation prompts and examples, while the Ruby backtick hits are Markdown formatting, not executable commands. No prompt injection attempt or semantic security issue was found.

6
Files scanned
1,851
Lines analyzed
0
Review items
0
False positives ignored

Risk Factors

⚙️ External commands (7)
SKILL.md:168 SKILL.md:169 SKILL.md:175-183 SKILL.md:183-187 SKILL.md:187-196 SKILL.md:196-200 SKILL.md:200-208
No confirmed security findings were detected by the latest completed static and semantic audit. This does not prove the skill has no side effects.
Audited by: codex View Audit History →
Share & cite this report

Share the versioned assessment report, neutral badge, embed card, and citations. Skillstore reports evidence without deciding whether this Skill is safe.

Open versioned report
Security Assessment

Copy report link

https://skillstore.io/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations/audits/4?utm_source=security_passport&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=versioned_report

Markdown badge

[![Skillstore security assessment](https://skillstore.io/badges/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations/security.svg)](https://skillstore.io/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations?utm_source=security_passport_badge)

HTML badge

<a href="https://skillstore.io/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations?utm_source=security_passport_badge"><img src="https://skillstore.io/badges/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations/security.svg" alt="Skillstore security assessment" loading="lazy"></a>

Embed card

<iframe src="https://skillstore.io/embed/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations.html" title="Skillstore Security Assessment" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer" width="420" height="180"></iframe>
Academic citations (APA · BibTeX · CFF)

APA citation

softaworks. (2026). difficult-workplace-conversations security audit report (audit version 4) [Author version unspecified]. Skillstore. https://skillstore.io/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations/audits/4

BibTeX citation

@techreport{softaworks-softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations-2026, author = {softaworks}, title = {difficult-workplace-conversations security audit report (audit version 4)}, institution = {Skillstore}, year = {2026}, number = {4}, url = {https://skillstore.io/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations/audits/4}, note = {Author version unspecified} }

CITATION.cff

cff-version: 1.2.0 message: "If you use this Skill, cite its author and this versioned security audit report." title: "difficult-workplace-conversations security audit report (audit version 4)" version: "unspecified" type: report authors: - name: "softaworks" date-released: "2026-07-07" url: "https://skillstore.io/skills/softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations/audits/4" identifiers: - type: other value: "skillstore:softaworks-difficult-workplace-conversations:audit:4" description: "Skillstore immutable audit report identifier"

Skillstore Score

Why this score Evidence Confidence: High
59
Architecture
85
Maintainability
87
Content
70
Community
83
Spec Compliance

What You Can Build

Prepare Performance Feedback

Plan a clear conversation about missed expectations, support needs, and next steps.

Resolve Peer Conflict

Turn hurt, frustration, or tension into a focused conversation about behavior and impact.

Coach Sensitive Discussions

Help employees prepare for compensation, escalation, or relationship repair conversations.

Try These Prompts

Prepare a Basic Conversation 
Help me prepare for a difficult workplace conversation. The issue is [issue], the person is [role], and my goal is [goal].
Turn Facts Into SBI Feedback 
Use the SBI model for this feedback: [facts]. Help me remove assumptions and write a respectful opening.
Plan Responses to Defensiveness 
I expect the other person may react defensively by [reaction]. Help me prepare calm responses and redirect to shared goals.
Create a Full Conversation Plan 
Create a full plan for this conversation: context [context], power dynamics [details], risks [risks], desired outcome [outcome], and follow-up needs [needs].

Best Practices

  • Separate observable facts from assumptions before drafting any opening line.
  • State the impact clearly and invite the other person to share their view.
  • Leave the conversation with specific agreements, owners, and follow-up timing.

Avoid

  • Do not script every word or build a legal-style case to win the conversation.
  • Do not start with character judgments, blame, or phrases like you always.
  • Do not skip follow-up after agreement, especially when behavior change is expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this skill handle performance feedback?
Yes. It helps structure feedback around facts, impact, expectations, support, and follow-up.
Does it replace HR guidance?
No. Use HR, legal, or policy guidance for formal discipline, harassment, safety, or compliance matters.
Can it help when I am angry?
Yes. It includes emotional readiness checks and regulation steps before you choose words.
Does it write exact scripts?
It can draft openings and phrases, but it recommends themes over memorized scripts.
Can individual contributors use it?
Yes. It supports peer conflict, upward feedback, compensation talks, and relationship repair.
What information should I provide?
Share the facts, impact, relationship, desired outcome, and any workplace constraints.

Developer Details

Author

softaworks

License

MIT

Skillstore revision

r1

Version notice

The author did not declare a version.

Repository

https://github.com/softaworks/agent-toolkit/tree/main/skills/difficult-workplace-conversations/

Ref

f93e9bb0daca99badb6a7e574b97737155d57cb3

Maintenance freshness

7/18/2026

Usage

33 downloads · 181 views

File structure

📁 references/

📄 conversation-framework.md

📄 delivery-scripts.md

📄 emotional-regulation.md

📄 preparation-template.md

📄 README.md

📄 SKILL.md

More from softaworks

View all

Related Skills

View all