Give stinging feedback without burning the bridge

You have critical feedback to give a colleague and the wrong tone could sour the relationship. This rewrites your draft three ways, assertive that names the problem plainly, diplomatic that stays warm while still landing it, and a middle version, so you can pick the register that fits. For when honesty matters but so does the working relationship.

I need to give critical feedback to a colleague and want to get the tone right before I send it.

Recipient role: {RECIPIENT_ROLE}
Our working relationship: {RELATIONSHIP_CONTEXT}
The issue I need to raise: {FEEDBACK_ISSUE}
My draft message: {MESSAGE_DRAFT}

Rewrite this message in three versions:
1. Assertive: direct and confident, names the problem clearly with no softening
2. Diplomatic: warm and respectful, still clear about the issue but leaves room for dialogue
3. Neutral: factual and measured, no emotional charge in either direction

Label each version clearly. Keep all three under 150 words each. End with one sentence on which tone suits which situation.