Difficult Conversation Prep | 6-Page Communication Planning Worksheet
You know the conversation needs to happen.
But you may still be wondering:
How do I explain the issue without making things worse?
What do I actually need to ask for?
How do I stay focused if the conversation becomes uncomfortable?
What outcome would make the discussion productive?
The Difficult Conversation Prep worksheet is a 6-page printable tool designed to help graduate students, postdocs, researchers, mentors, and research professionals prepare for high-stakes conversations with more clarity and intention.
Instead of walking into the discussion with a mix of frustration, assumptions, and half-formed talking points, use the worksheet to organize the facts, understand the impact, define what you need, and plan the next steps you want to discuss.
What's Inside — 6 Pages
1. What Needs to Be Discussed?
2. Separate Facts From Assumptions
3. Define the Impact
4. Decide What You Need to Ask For
5. Prepare for the Conversation
6. Plan the Next Steps
A Difficult Conversation Is Easier When You Know What You Want to Say
The goal is not to script every sentence.
It is to walk into the conversation knowing:
What happened
Why it matters
What you need
What you want to ask for
What should happen next
That preparation can make it easier to stay focused on the issue rather than getting pulled into emotion, defensiveness, or details that do not move the conversation forward.
Digital download only. No physical item will be shipped.
You will receive a 6-page printable PDF available for download after purchase. Colors and print quality may vary depending on your printer, paper, and screen settings. Files may not be resold, redistributed, shared, uploaded, reproduced for resale, or claimed as your own. Use is limited to the license stated on this product page and within the downloaded materials. Due to the digital nature of this product, purchases are generally nonrefundable after download. For technical download issues, contact gradlab.compass@gmail.com. For educational and instructional purposes only.
Difficult Conversation Prep | 6-Page Communication Planning Worksheet
You know the conversation needs to happen.
But you may still be wondering:
How do I explain the issue without making things worse?
What do I actually need to ask for?
How do I stay focused if the conversation becomes uncomfortable?
What outcome would make the discussion productive?
The Difficult Conversation Prep worksheet is a 6-page printable tool designed to help graduate students, postdocs, researchers, mentors, and research professionals prepare for high-stakes conversations with more clarity and intention.
Instead of walking into the discussion with a mix of frustration, assumptions, and half-formed talking points, use the worksheet to organize the facts, understand the impact, define what you need, and plan the next steps you want to discuss.
What's Inside — 6 Pages
1. What Needs to Be Discussed?
2. Separate Facts From Assumptions
3. Define the Impact
4. Decide What You Need to Ask For
5. Prepare for the Conversation
6. Plan the Next Steps
A Difficult Conversation Is Easier When You Know What You Want to Say
The goal is not to script every sentence.
It is to walk into the conversation knowing:
What happened
Why it matters
What you need
What you want to ask for
What should happen next
That preparation can make it easier to stay focused on the issue rather than getting pulled into emotion, defensiveness, or details that do not move the conversation forward.
Digital download only. No physical item will be shipped.
You will receive a 6-page printable PDF available for download after purchase. Colors and print quality may vary depending on your printer, paper, and screen settings. Files may not be resold, redistributed, shared, uploaded, reproduced for resale, or claimed as your own. Use is limited to the license stated on this product page and within the downloaded materials. Due to the digital nature of this product, purchases are generally nonrefundable after download. For technical download issues, contact gradlab.compass@gmail.com. For educational and instructional purposes only.
