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Prep a supportive 1:1 for a CSM who is behind on QBRs

  • For Managers and team leads
  • You practice Getting the tone right
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Beginner

About this exercise

Write a 1:1 prep checklist for Tariq's manager: exactly 5 lines, each starting "- [ ]". The first line names one strength with a real number. The other four are open questions that end in "?" and each cites one fact from the metrics. No ratings, no judgments about performance, nothing about pay. Plain text.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Leading with the problems. The AI opens with the missed QBRs. Try: Say: "The first line is a strength with a number."
  • Statements instead of questions. The AI writes directives like "Discuss missed QBRs". Try: Say: "Lines 2 to 5 are open questions ending in ?."
  • Judging performance. The AI adds words like behind or concerning. Try: Say: "No ratings or judgments about performance."
  • Wrong shape. The AI writes a long plan with headings. Try: Say: "Exactly 5 lines starting - [ ], nothing else."
  • Getting markdown back. AI adds bold and headings by default, which show up as stray symbols where this is pasted. Try: Say "plain text, no bold, no headings, no asterisks".
  • Leaving the bullet count open. The AI keeps adding bullets until every detail is covered. Try: Name the cap: "at most N bullets, nothing else".

What a strong prompt includes

  • Fixes the checkbox lines
  • Strength first
  • Asks for open questions
  • Bans ratings
  • Asks for plain text
  • Caps the bullets

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