This document provides a worksheet to help prepare for difficult conversations. It outlines steps to understand each person's perspective, including their contributions, impacts, intentions, feelings, and self-image related to the situation. The preparation involves considering one's own story and potential contributions to the current situation. It also involves contemplating the other person's potential feelings, intentions, and impacts. The worksheet guides the user to identify an authentic purpose for the conversation and plan how to initiate it, inquire respectfully, share one's own story, and potentially problem solve. The goal is to have an authentic discussion that understands both perspectives.

1. Difficult Conversations Preparation Worksheet
Created by Triad Consulting Group | www.diffcon.com
The Content ConversationThe Content ConversationThe Content ConversationThe Content ConversationThe Content Conversation
Understand Each Other’s StoriesUnderstand Each Other’s Stories Contributions, Impacts and IntentionsContributions, Impacts and IntentionsContributions, Impacts and Intentions
My Story:
What is the problem from my
point of view?
Their Story:
What is the problem from their
point of view?
Their Contribution:
How have they contributed to
the current situation?
Impact on me:
What impact has this situation
hd on me?
Their Intentions:
What might their intentions
have been?
Data? Data? My Contribution:
How have I contributed to the
current situation?
My Intentions:
What were my intentions?
Impact on them:
What impact might this
situations have had on them?
Authentic Conversation Plan:

2. Difficult Conversations Preparation Worksheet
Greater New Orleans New Leader
The Feelings ConversationThe Feelings Conversation The Identity ConversationThe Identity Conversation Choosing My Purpose
My Feelings:
How do I feel about this
situation?
Their Feelings:
What might they be feeling?
My Self Image:
What do I fear this situation
says about me?
Impact on me:
What impact has this situation
hd on me?
Their Intentions:
What might their intentions
have been?
Which feelings make sense to
share?
How have I contributed to the
current situation?
What’s not?
Circle the purposes that
are:
1. In your control, and
2. helpful to you.

3. Difficult Conversations Preparation Worksheet
Greater New Orleans New Leader
WHEN:WHEN:
Now that you have walked
through the Three
Conversations are you
certain you want to raise
the issue? If so, when?
HOW:HOW:
Identifying Your
Purpose
What is your purpose in having the conversation? What do you hope to accomplish?
Initiating the
Conversation
How will you initiate the conversation? What will you say when you start with the Third Story?
Inquiring to Learn
What questions will you ask to draw out his/her story? (See p.176 of Difficult Conversations for ideas.)
Sharing Your Story
How will you share your story? What will you say?
Problem-Solving
Without know his/her perspective yet what potential solutions do you anticipate could be helpful?