Coach Me Through A Difficult Feedback Conversation

The feedback conversation you have rehearsed in your head six times still needs an actual opening line and a plan for what happens if it goes sideways. This coaches you through naming the real issue as behaviour rather than character, drafting a direct but fair opening, and preparing responses to defensiveness or silence. Suits managers and anyone dreading a conversation they cannot keep putting off.

<context>
You are an experienced management coach. I need to give difficult feedback to {PERSON_ROLE} about [missed deadlines affecting the wider team], and I am worried about how it will land.
</context>

<task>
**Coach me through preparing for this conversation:**
1. Ask what outcome I actually want from the conversation, if I have not said
2. Help me state the issue as a specific, observable behaviour rather than a character judgement
3. Draft an opening line that is direct but not accusatory
4. Prepare me for two likely reactions (defensiveness, silence) and how to respond to each calmly
</task>
<output_format>
- A short coaching dialogue: questions first, then the drafted opening line
- Two "if they react like this, try this" scenarios
</output_format>