HR and people
Preparing a feedback conversation with AI
A difficult conversation gets easier when you prepare it. AI helps you phrase your message clearly and respectfully, and to rehearse it.
5 min read
Giving feedback is hard for many managers, especially about behaviour or performance. Putting it off usually makes things worse. AI can help you prepare your message and rehearse the conversation. The conversation itself, you have as a person.
Sharpening your message
First write down for yourself:
- What you saw or heard: concrete and factual, without judgement.
- The consequence: for customers, colleagues or the work.
- What you expect or want to discuss.
Have the AI review that text: is it concrete, honest and respectful? Does it contain judgements that would be better framed as questions?
Rehearsing the conversation
Ask the AI to play the employee, with a realistic reaction: defensive, surprised or emotional. Practise staying calm, listening and coming back to the point. Then ask for feedback on your approach.
What you don't put into AI
- Names and sensitive details about the employee, certainly not in a personal account. Use "employee A".
- Medical or personal circumstances. That's sensitive data.
- A record for a personnel file, without reading it yourself and discussing it with the employee.
After the conversation
Write down your agreements briefly and give them to the employee. AI can help you organise your notes. Keep it factual.
Pause and reflect
Your answers stay only in this browser.
Prompt to copy
I want to give feedback to an employee. What I observed: [facts]. The consequence: [x]. What I want to achieve: [x]. 1) Review my message: is it concrete, honest and respectful? Rephrase judgements as questions. 2) Then play the employee reacting defensively at first, and after six exchanges give me feedback on my approach.
