Conversation Planner · for managers
How to talk to an employee who argues with everything
Read the approach below, or skip ahead and get a plan written for your own situation.
Plan my conversation — free ↓Why the usual approach fails
You don't want to lose someone who thinks critically, and shutting them down teaches the whole team not to disagree. The problem is rarely the disagreement. It's the volume and the timing. Help them choose which hills matter.
How to open
"You push on ideas harder than anyone, and it's made some of our decisions better. I've also noticed that in the last three meetings we spent twenty minutes on small points and others went quiet. I'd like your read on that."
Ask before you tell
- "How do you decide what's worth challenging?"
- "What do you notice about the room when a debate runs long?"
- "Which decisions do you most want a say in?"
What to agree before you leave the room
A filter they choose — for instance, challenge anything that affects the customer, and let the rest go — and a signal you'll use to park a debate.
Make it yours — free
Edit the details below to match your situation and get a full five-step COACH plan by email.
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Built on the COACH method by Jon Kludt, Business Coach · Certified EOS Implementer® · thecoachconversation.com