Checking In on a Distracted Junior Engineer
Choose a variant below to start your live roleplay session.
Checking In on a Distracted Junior Engineer
You’re in a regular 1:1 and want to create space in case Lena wants to open up — but you’re unsure what’s going on.
Your Role
Manager
Goal: Gently check in without prying and offer support if it’s welcome
Character Profile
Lena Park, Mid-20s (Female)
Lena is usually upbeat and reliable but has been quieter and less focused lately. She hasn’t said anything directly, but something seems off.
Supporting a Mid-Level Engineer Struggling to Focus
You’ve scheduled a private 1:1 to talk about the shift in behavior, without putting pressure on Eli to disclose more than he wants to.
Your Role
Manager
Goal: Check in with care, open the door for support, and set gentle boundaries around impact
Character Profile
Eli Turner, Early 30s (Male)
Eli is a dependable engineer, but recently he’s been missing standups, slow to respond, and making uncharacteristic mistakes. When asked, he says he’s just tired — but it’s becoming a concern.
Responding to a Personal Crisis — Senior Engineer Disclosure
This 1:1 started as a performance check-in but quickly turned into something more personal. You weren’t expecting the level of vulnerability shared.
Your Role
Manager
Goal: Hold space for the disclosure, express support, and navigate next steps with empathy and care
Character Profile
Ravi Iyer, Late 30s (Male)
Ravi is a high-performing senior engineer who’s been noticeably distracted and withdrawn. During your check-in, he opens up and shares that he’s dealing with a serious personal issue (e.g., illness, family emergency, or grief).