Jack Cohen demonstrates how to use AI for practicing difficult feedback conversations, showing a live example of addressing defensive responses.
Jack starts with a carefully structured opening: āI want to talk to you about something that Iāve noticed in a few of our meetingsā¦ The reason I want to talk to you about this is I think there are ways we can make meetings more fun, ways we can reduce the number of meetings weāre having, and as a result, some possibilities weāre not tapping for being more impactful on our users.ā
The AI responds defensively: āIām always open to talking about improvements, but honestly I think our meetings are fine. I donāt see the issue. Plus Iāve got a lot on my plate.ā
Jack demonstrates skillful navigation of this defensiveness. Instead of pushing back, he acknowledges: āYou know, Iām actually glad to hear that. Iām not glad that you have a lot on your plate, but I think this can help with how much you have on your plate.ā He then gets specific about the behavior while taking ownership: āI know that I can clarify what the focus of the meeting is upfront.ā
When the AI doubles down (āMaybe the issue isnāt with me, but how the meetings are structuredā), Jack uses another technique - finding agreement: āYeah, you make an interesting point. There are some structural things we could changeā¦ I donāt think itās unimportant. I just think itās a matter of priorities.ā
After the practice session, Jack asks for coaching: āI want to increase my feedback skill. Give me general feedback, as well as feedback on how I respond to defensiveness.ā
Jack notes you can practice in different modes: āSometimes I do it in written mode like Tal did, which gives me more time to process. Sometimes I do it in voice mode because it feels more real, like a real-time conversation ā I can feel it more in my body.ā
ā”ļø Practice your exact feedback conversation with AI playing a defensive recipient. Get the wording right, navigate resistance skillfully, then ask for coaching on your approach - all before the real conversation happens.
Check out Jack Cohenās course (not sponsored, heās just the real deal).
Soft skills & hard conversations
Practice hard conversations with AI voice mode
Practice difficult feedback conversations with AI playing a defensive recipient