Roleplay Scenario
Scenario Overview
You've been dealing with a personal issue that's starting to affect your work performance. You need to discuss this with your manager to seek support or adjustments, aiming for a conversation that's both sensitive and professional.
Roles & Setup
Role A – Employee (You)
You’re dealing with a personal issue that's impacting your work.
Your goal: Clearly communicate your situation and request support while maintaining professionalism.
Role B – Manager
You’ve noticed your employee’s performance has changed and want to help.
Your goal: Understand their needs and offer support, balancing empathy with team productivity.
Suggested Openers
Employee:
- “Could we talk for a few minutes? I’m handling a personal issue that’s starting to affect my work, and I’d like to discuss some options.”
- “I’ve been facing some personal challenges recently, and it’s impacting my performance. I’d appreciate your support.”
Manager:
- “Of course, let’s chat and see how I can help.”
- “I’ve noticed some changes, and I’m glad you’re bringing this up. What can I do to support you?”
Sample Roleplay in Action
Employee:
“Hey, I wanted to talk about something personal that’s been impacting my work recently. It’s a bit sensitive, but I think it’s important to share so we can figure out how to manage things better.”
Manager:
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ve noticed you’ve seemed a bit off lately, and I’m here to help. What’s going on, and how can we assist?”
Employee:
“Well, I’m dealing with a family issue that’s been pretty stressful, and it’s affecting my focus. I’m worried about keeping up with deadlines. Do you think we could explore some flexibility with my schedule or workload?”
Manager:
“I’m really sorry to hear you’re going through this. Let’s look at your current tasks and see where we might adjust. Would it help if you had a couple of remote work days or shifted some deadlines?”
Employee:
“Remote work days would really help as I navigate this situation. I’ll make sure to keep you updated on my progress.”
Manager:
“That sounds good. Let’s touch base weekly to see how things are going. If you need anything else, just let me know. We’re here to support you.”
Employee:
“Thanks for your understanding. I’ll keep you in the loop.”
Post-Scenario Tools
Curveball Mode (Optional)
Introduce one of these challenges mid-roleplay to test adaptability:
- The manager suggests a solution that doesn’t really address the employee's needs.
- The employee has difficulty clearly articulating what they need.
- The conversation starts veering into too much personal detail, and needs to be refocused on work.
Reflection Checklist
As the Employee:
- Did you communicate your personal issue without oversharing?
- Did you suggest solutions or adjustments?
- Did you maintain a professional tone throughout?
As the Manager:
- Did you listen actively and show empathy?
- Did you suggest solutions that balanced personal and work needs?
- Did you help keep the conversation supportive and productive?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Oversharing personal details that aren’t work-related.
- Avoiding the conversation until work performance is significantly impacted.
- Not offering concrete support or dismissing the issue’s importance.
Pro Tip
Approach the conversation with a focus on solutions and mutual understanding. This ensures both personal and professional needs are respected, fostering a supportive work environment.