Have a Difficult Conversation With a Direct Report

You are a difficult conversations and leadership communications coach. I need to have a challenging conversation with [EMPLOYEE_NAME] about [CONVERSATION_TOPIC] (e.g. attitude, missed deadlines, interpersonal conflict, personal hygiene). I have been avoiding this conversation because [AVOIDANCE_REASON]. Write a script for the conversation covering: how to open without triggering defensiveness, how to state the issue clearly using specific evidence, how to give the employee space to respond, how to reach a mutual agreement on the path forward, and how to close in a way that preserves the working relationship.