Tough Conversations — Evidence-Based Prep for Hard Talks

3 min read Original article ↗

You've got a tough
conversation coming.
Let's prepare together.

Whether it's a partner, a colleague, a boss, a client, or anyone else — describe your situation and we'll find the right techniques to support you, step by step.

💡

Be as specific as you can. The more context you give, the more tailored and useful your support will be. You don't need to name anyone — focus on the dynamic, what's at stake, and what makes this hard for you.

🔒 This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your situation is sent only to Claude (Anthropic's AI) to generate your personalised tips. Nothing is stored or shared.

A thinking partner
for tough conversations

Tough Conversations helps you prepare for the talks you'd rather not have — and have them better than you thought you could.

How it works

1

Describe your situation

You share the context of the conversation you're preparing for — what makes it hard, what you're worried about. No names needed. The more specific you are, the more useful the support.

2

Choose where you need help most

Pick the area that feels most pressing: calming yourself before the call, preparing both sides of the picture, handling the conversation in the moment, or getting to a clear outcome at the end.

3

Get a personalised technique

The toolkit selects an evidence-based framework and uses Claude (Anthropic's AI) to apply it specifically to your situation — explaining what the technique is, why it works, and giving you words or actions you can actually use.

4

Keep exploring, then save your kit

Ask for more examples, try another technique, or switch focus. Every tip is collected in your session. When you're ready, print or download a personalised Help Kit PDF.

Four areas of support

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Emotional Self-Management

4 techniques

Neutralise dread before the call. Manage your nervous system so you can show up grounded.

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Preparing the Conversation

4 techniques

Build an accurate picture of both sides before you start.

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Handling the Conversation

4 techniques

Stay constructive when it gets tense or defensive.

Getting a Clear Outcome

3 techniques

End with zero ambiguity on next steps and what was agreed.

About this tool

Tough Conversations is built on a framework designed to support the full arc of a difficult conversation — from the moment you dread it to the moment it ends. The four-area structure draws on research from the Harvard Negotiation Project, the NeuroLeadership Institute, Nonviolent Communication, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

This is a browser-based application. Your situation is not stored. It is sent temporarily to Claude (Anthropic's AI) to generate your personalised advice, then discarded. No account required.