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Script feedback to your own boss using facts, impact and a request

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

About this exercise

Write a spoken script for giving feedback to your director about last-minute requests. Plain text, 5 sentences, under 100 words, respectful and direct. Sentence 1 asks permission to share feedback. Sentence 2 states two dated facts. Sentence 3 states the impact with a number. Sentence 4 makes one specific request. Sentence 5 asks what she thinks. No labels, no judgments about her character, and do not mention your own stress.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Too many sentences. The AI writes a long speech. Try: Say: "Exactly 5 sentences."
  • Character jab. The AI says she is disorganized. Try: Say: "Facts and impact only; no judgments about her character."
  • Mentioning burnout. The AI adds personal stress. Try: Say: "Don't mention your own stress."
  • Vague facts. The AI says 'often'. Try: Say: "Give the two dates, Oct 3 and Oct 17."
  • No request. The AI ends with a vague hope. Try: Say: "Sentence 4: one specific request."
  • Markdown. The AI adds labels. Try: Say: "Plain spoken sentences."
  • 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 sentence: "each under 20 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

  • Five sentences
  • Permission
  • Facts and impact
  • Request
  • No judgments

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