Is a manager's fear, insecurity, or need for control blocking trust and transparency on your team? This step-by-step template gives you the exact words to turn difficult power dynamics into clear, respectful, and trust-building conversations.

Based on Tactical Empathy (used by FBI negotiators) and psychological safety research, this guide helps you:

• Open difficult conversations without triggering defensiveness.

• Acknowledge a manager's underlying fears to disarm tension.

• Ask powerful questions that create collaboration, not conflict.

• Lead upward with clarity and courage, even with a defensive leader.

Perfect for when you feel: micromanaged, dismissed, or unable to speak up about concerns without backlash.

What's Included:

• The 5-Step "Fear-to-Trust" Conversational Flow

• Sample Scripts & Language for each step

• A Practice Worksheet to prepare your conversation

• A Post-Conversation Debrief Checklist

• "Phrases to Avoid" Guide