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Write a stay conversation script for a manager

  • For Managers and team leads
  • You practice Giving the right context
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

Write a script for a manager's 20-minute stay conversation in plain text, under 140 words, with parts labeled Open:, Questions:, Listen for:, Close:. Questions: has exactly 4 lines starting with "- ", each under 14 words, about what keeps her here, what to change, growth, and workload. No question about family, health, age, plans to have children or other jobs she may have applied for. Close: promises nothing about pay or promotion. HR reviews before use.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking about other offers. The AI asks 'Are you looking elsewhere?'. Try: Say: "Do not ask about outside offers, personal plans or health."
  • Promising. The AI says 'I'll push for a raise'. Try: Say: "Close promises nothing on pay or promotion."
  • Question count. The AI writes eight questions. Try: Say: "Questions: exactly 4 lines, each under 14 words."
  • Labels. The AI uses its own sections. Try: Say: "Parts labeled Open:, Questions:, Listen for:, Close:."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each part instead, for example: "each line under 15 words."
  • Markdown. The AI bolds words or adds headings. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Four parts
  • Four questions
  • Topics
  • Banned topics
  • No promises

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