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Prepare a six-item checklist before a hard conversation

  • For Managers and team leads
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Beginner

About this exercise

Prepare a checklist before a hard conversation with Kofi about a missed handoff. Plain text, exactly 6 lines, each starting with [ ] and under 14 words. Include: the facts with dates, the impact, one question for Kofi, what you will not say, when and where, and a note to check with HR. No judgments. Use only the notes.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Judgmental language. The AI writes 'careless' or 'irresponsible'. Try: Say: "No judgments; facts and impact only."
  • Missing items. The AI skips the HR check. Try: Say: "Include all six items."
  • No details. The AI writes 'schedule the meeting'. Try: Say: "Give the date, time and room."
  • Wrong count. The AI writes 10 lines. Try: Say: "Exactly 6 lines starting with [ ]."
  • Markdown. The AI uses bold. Try: Say: "Plain text."
  • 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 line: "each line under 14 words."
  • 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 12 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Checkbox lines
  • Items
  • Details
  • No judgments
  • Plain

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