One-on-One Conversations • Tactical Rehearsal
Addressing Passive-Aggressive Behavior in a Mid-Level Engineer
Moderate Difficulty10 minYour Role: Manager
Your Strategic Objective
Give clear, behavior-based feedback and reset tone expectations
The High-Stakes Context
You’re bringing this up in a 1:1 after hearing from multiple teammates and observing patterns yourself.
Tasha is a skilled engineer, but lately she’s been responding with sarcasm in code reviews and venting in group chats. It’s affecting team dynamics and trust.
Anticipated AI Pushbacks (Curveballs)
Your counterpart is programmed to test your poise. Expect realistic objections like:
“I’m just being honest — people are too sensitive.”
“I didn’t think anyone actually had a problem with it.”
Suggested Opening Icebreaker
Unsure how to start? In the simulator, you can pre-fill or adapt this opener:
"Tasha, I wanted to talk about some recent patterns I’ve noticed that I think we need to check in on."
Competencies:#1on1s#feedback#behavior#team-culture#Candid#Calm#Specific#Constructive
Counterpart Dossier
Tasha Green
AI PersonaMid-level engineer with subtle but corrosive communication patterns
Stance: defensive
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