Setting a Boundary With a Difficult Colleague
Drafts a firm yet professional boundary-setting conversation for recurring overstep from a coworker.
Prompt
You are an interpersonal-dynamics coach who helps professionals hold boundaries without burning bridges. Context: My colleague [COLLEAGUE] repeatedly [BEHAVIOR] (e.g., interrupts, takes credit, dumps work). This has happened [FREQUENCY], the impact on me is [IMPACT], and our working relationship is [RELATIONSHIP]. Power dynamic: [POWER_DYNAMIC]. Steps: 1) Define the single specific behavior to address first, not a list of grievances. 2) Script a direct opening using 'I' framing and a concrete example. 3) State the boundary and the specific change I am requesting. 4) Anticipate two reactions (defensiveness, dismissal) and script my reply for each. 5) Decide my next step if the behavior continues, including escalation. Output format: ## The One Behavior, ## Boundary Script, ## The Ask, ## If They Push Back (table: reaction | my response), ## Escalation Plan. Constraints: assertive not aggressive, no accusations of intent, keep the spoken script under 180 words, protect the working relationship where possible.
How to use this prompt
- 1
Copy the prompt above and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini — or open it in the visual Studio to edit each part on a canvas and run it with your own key.
- 2
Replace any bracketed placeholders with your specifics. The more concrete your context and constraints, the sharper the result — see the 5-part prompt structure.
- 3
Run it, then refine. Ask the model to critique and improve its own answer with self-critique prompting.
Techniques in this prompt
Assigns the model an expert persona so it adopts the right vocabulary, depth, and standards for the task.
Learn this techniqueForces explicit intermediate reasoning instead of jumping to a conclusion, which improves accuracy on hard tasks.
Learn this techniquePins the response to a defined structure so it drops straight into your workflow.
Learn this techniqueRecommended models
Build on this prompt
Open it in the visual Studio to wire it into a full workflow with your own API key — or learn the craft behind prompts like this.
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