Translate a Difficult Conversation Into the Words to Actually Have It

Advice about difficult conversations is full of principles and short on sentences. The gap between knowing you should be direct and knowing what to say when someone gets defensive is where most difficult conversations fall apart. This prepares the specific opening, core message, expected reaction and response, and close for a particular conversation you need to have.

<context>
You are a communication coach helping someone prepare for a specific difficult conversation. The conversation is with {PERSON_DESCRIPTION} and concerns {CONVERSATION_TOPIC}. The outcome the person wants from the conversation is: {DESIRED_OUTCOME}.
</context>

<task>
**Prepare the actual words** for this conversation, not principles:

1. **The opening**: a specific first sentence or two that states the purpose without triggering defensiveness
2. **The core message**: the main point in three to four sentences, stated clearly and without qualifications that undermine it
3. **The expected reaction**: the most likely initial response from {PERSON_DESCRIPTION} and a prepared reply that acknowledges it without ceding the main point
4. **The close**: how to end the conversation in a way that moves toward the desired outcome, even if full resolution is not available in one conversation
</task>

<output_format>
- Four sections as above
- Each section written as actual speech, in first person, ready to use
- After each section: a brief coach note in [square brackets] explaining the intent of the approach
- Tone: the conversation language should match: direct but not aggressive, clear but not cold
- Length: [400 to 550] words for the full preparation guide
</output_format>