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Performance Issue
Manager
Firm
Member script

Confronting an employee about their attitude

A report is technically strong but their tone is damaging the team.

Strategy

Attitude is not coachable. Behavior is. Convert every impression into a specific observable moment, then state the standard as non-negotiable.

How this one opens

I need to talk about how you are showing up, not what you are producing.

This is the first line of the full script for this exact situation.

What usually happens next

Most likely: surprise, then a defense of intent — "I was just being direct about a bad estimate."

One thing not to say

You have a bad attitude

You are seeing a piece of this script. 5 parts are written in full.

The rest of the opening, the full pushback path, everything to avoid, and the follow-up message — written for this situation.

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