Feedback & Recognition • Tactical Rehearsal
Giving Feedback to a Manager Who Doesn’t Take Criticism Well
Hard Difficulty10 minYour Role: Engineer
Your Strategic Objective
Deliver honest upward feedback with care, clarity, and political awareness
The High-Stakes Context
Jonathan asked for 'no filter' feedback during your 1:1. You’ve noticed team morale dipping, partly due to his blunt communication style and pressure during crunch times.
Jonathan is a senior manager who cares about delivery — but has a reputation for reacting poorly to feedback. He’s asked you to be candid, but in past cases, people who spoke up got sidelined or shut down.
Anticipated AI Pushbacks (Curveballs)
Your counterpart is programmed to test your poise. Expect realistic objections like:
“I don’t think anyone else sees it that way — has someone said something?”
“So… you think I’m being too harsh? Or are people just too sensitive?”
Suggested Opening Icebreaker
Unsure how to start? In the simulator, you can pre-fill or adapt this opener:
"Since you asked for candor — something I’ve noticed is that when we’re under pressure, the tone in some of our syncs feels a bit harsh, and I think it’s affecting morale."
Competencies:#feedback#upward#psychological-safety#team-morale#leadership#Honest#Diplomatic#Steady#Empathetic
Counterpart Dossier
Jonathan Hale
AI PersonaManager who reacts defensively to feedback
Stance: defensive
Private Sandbox Instant Scorecard
Expensing through your team?Employer Pitch Template