Conversation Planner · for managers
How to talk to a former peer you now manage
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
Pretending nothing changed is the common mistake. The friendship carries on, the accountability never starts, and the first hard conversation arrives late and lands badly. Name the change out loud, early, and agree how the two of you will handle it.
How to open
"This is a bit awkward and I'd rather say so. We were peers for three years, and now part of my job is to hold you to things. Last week I asked for the forecast by Thursday and it didn't come. I want to work out how we do this."
Ask before you tell
- "How has the change been for you?"
- "What do you need from me now that's different from before?"
- "How do you want me to tell you when something isn't working?"
What to agree before you leave the room
An explicit agreement on how you'll give each other feedback, and the specific deadline that started the conversation.
Make it yours — free
Edit the details below to match your situation and get a full five-step COACH plan by email.
Other conversations
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Built on the COACH method by Jon Kludt, Business Coach · Certified EOS Implementer® · thecoachconversation.com