Having the Difficult Conversation

The Performance Conversation: What to Say, How to Listen, and What to Do Next

You know an employee’s performance needs to improve. But how do you start the conversation without making it harder than it needs to be?

This practical guide helps new managers and new HR's prepare for performance conversations, speak clearly about concerns, listen to the employee’s perspective, and agree on meaningful next steps. It walks you through what to consider before the meeting, what to say during it, and how to follow up afterward.

Inside, you’ll find conversation scripts for common situations, questions to ask, responses to difficult reactions, and tools for documenting expectations and tracking progress.

Whether this is your first performance conversation or one you’ve been putting off, this guide will help you approach it with more clarity, fairness, and confidence.