Updated: 31 October 2026

Plan a performance improvement conversation

This prompt helps a manager plan a talk about a performance problem, with the issue, the impact, clear expectations and support offered.

text-performance-conversation-plan — chatgpt — 62 words

I need to talk to [ROLE OR FIRST NAME] about a performance problem.

The issue: [SPECIFIC BEHAVIOUR OR RESULT]
Evidence: [EXAMPLES AND DATES]
Impact: [IMPACT ON TEAM OR CUSTOMERS]
Support I can offer: [SUPPORT]

Give me an opening statement, questions to understand their side, how to agree on clear expectations and a timeline, and a short written summary I can send afterwards.

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Rehearse your first two sentences aloud; the opening sets the tone for everything after.

Get a better result

What you will get

A conversation plan with an opening statement, questions to hear their side, a way to agree on clear expectations and a timeline, and a short written summary to send afterwards.

Why it works

Hard conversations go wrong at the start, so the prompt gives the opening its own step, as the tip suggests. Specific evidence and impact keep the talk about behaviour, not the person. Questions before expectations make it a two-way conversation, and the written summary turns spoken agreement into something both sides can refer back to.

Common mistake

The opening is vague, so the person is not sure what the issue is.

Fix: Fill in the issue as a specific behaviour with dates. “Three missed handovers in May” is clear, “attitude problems” is not.

Also watch for

The plan jumps straight to consequences. Keep the questions section before expectations. They may have a reason you do not know about.
The written summary adds new points. The summary should only record what was agreed. Ask it to check it against the plan before you send.

Try a variation: follow-up meeting

Ask for a plan for the follow-up meeting a month later: how to review progress against the agreed expectations, and what to say if it improved or did not.

Still not right? Reply with this

Write two versions of the opening statement, one firmer and one gentler, each under 40 words and naming the specific behaviour.