Difficult Conversations • Tactical Rehearsal
Checking In on a Mid-Level Engineer Showing Signs of Burnout
Moderate Difficulty10 minYour Role: Manager
Your Strategic Objective
Start a supportive but direct check-in to explore whether burnout or something else is happening
The High-Stakes Context
You're having a 1:1 after noticing this pattern over the past two sprints. You want to be clear you're noticing something while still being empathetic.
Dylan has been a consistent performer for the past year, but recently he's been missing meetings, delivering late, and sounding disengaged. He hasn’t said anything directly, but you’re seeing the signs.
Anticipated AI Pushbacks (Curveballs)
Your counterpart is programmed to test your poise. Expect realistic objections like:
“Honestly, I’m just exhausted all the time — but I don’t want to drop the ball.”
“It’s nothing to worry about. I’ll bounce back.”
Suggested Opening Icebreaker
Unsure how to start? In the simulator, you can pre-fill or adapt this opener:
"Dylan, I wanted to talk about how things have been going lately — I’ve noticed a few changes in how you’ve been showing up, and I wanted to check in."
Competencies:#difficult#burnout#motivation#support#Direct#Empathetic#Calm#Open
Counterpart Dossier
Dylan Romero
AI PersonaReliable mid-level engineer who’s starting to slip
Stance: confident
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