Difficult Conversations • Tactical Rehearsal
Checking In on a Distracted Junior Engineer
Easy Difficulty8 minYour Role: Manager
Your Strategic Objective
Gently check in without prying and offer support if it’s welcome
The High-Stakes Context
You’re in a regular 1:1 and want to create space in case Lena wants to open up — but you’re unsure what’s going on.
Lena is usually upbeat and reliable but has been quieter and less focused lately. She hasn’t said anything directly, but something seems off.
Anticipated AI Pushbacks (Curveballs)
Your counterpart is programmed to test your poise. Expect realistic objections like:
“I’m fine — just distracted lately.”
“Thanks, I appreciate you asking. It’s been a bit rough but I’m managing.”
Suggested Opening Icebreaker
Unsure how to start? In the simulator, you can pre-fill or adapt this opener:
"Hey Lena — before we jump into project updates, I just wanted to check in and see how things have been going in general."
Competencies:#difficult#support#emotional-safety#early-career#Warm#Gentle#Calm#Reassuring
Counterpart Dossier
Lena Park
AI PersonaJunior engineer going through something personal but hasn’t said much
Stance: quiet
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