Action Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Radical Candor Feedback Protocol (Kim Scott)
A feedback delivery protocol built on two simultaneous requirements: Care Personally AND Challenge Directly
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Action Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Five-Component Apology Framework
A comprehensive apology protocol identifying the five elements that make apologies actually work, based on research by Lewicki, Lazarus, and Lax
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Boundary Setting Script
A four-step verbal protocol for establishing and enforcing personal boundaries, drawing on assertiveness training and DBT interpersonal effectiveness skills
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Crucial Conversations Framework (Patterson/Grenny/McMillan/Switzler)
A protocol for high-stakes conversations where opinions differ and emotions run strong
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Nonviolent Communication Four-Step Protocol (Rosenberg)
A four-step communication protocol developed by Marshall Rosenberg for expressing needs without triggering defensiveness
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
GROW Coaching Conversation Model
A four-stage protocol for coaching conversations developed by Sir John Whitmore, used to help someone think through a challenge without giving them the answer
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Performance Review Conversation Structure
A protocol for conducting effective performance reviews that actually improve performance
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Bad News Delivery Protocol (SPIKES)
A six-step protocol originally developed for delivering bad medical news, now widely adapted for any context requiring the delivery of unwelcome information
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Asking for Help Script (TASK Framework)
A four-step protocol for requesting help effectively, overcoming the common barriers of pride, fear of imposition, and vagueness that make most help requests fail
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Saying No Framework (Positive No - Ury)
A three-step protocol for declining requests while preserving relationships, developed by William Ury of the Harvard Negotiation Project
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Conflict Resolution Conversation Protocol
A structured seven-step protocol for resolving interpersonal conflicts through direct conversation
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Giving Recognition Protocol (Effective Praise Framework)
A protocol for delivering recognition that actually motivates and reinforces desired behavior, based on self-determination theory and reinforcement research
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Exit Interview Protocol (Knowledge-Capturing Design)
A structured protocol for conducting exit interviews that extract genuine, useful feedback rather than polite nothings
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
One-on-One Meeting Structure (Manager-Report)
A protocol for conducting effective recurring one-on-one meetings between a manager and direct report
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Difficult Topic Opener Framework
A protocol for the critical first 30 seconds of a sensitive conversation — the opening that determines whether the discussion will be productive or defensive
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Active Listening Protocol (Reflective Listening Steps)
A structured five-step protocol for listening that creates genuine understanding rather than waiting-to-respond
Conversation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Pre-Mortem Protocol (Klein)
A structured protocol developed by psychologist Gary Klein for stress-testing decisions before implementation
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
10-10-10 Decision Framework (Suzy Welch)
A temporal perspective-shifting protocol for making decisions when you feel stuck or emotionally overwhelmed
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Decision Journal Practice
A systematic journaling protocol for improving decision quality over time through structured recording and retrospective review
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Reversibility Test Protocol
A binary classification protocol for matching decision speed to decision stakes, based on Jeff Bezos's Type 1/Type 2 door framework
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
WRAP Decision Process (Heath Brothers)
A four-step decision process designed to counteract the four most common decision-making biases, developed by Chip and Dan Heath
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Decision Tree Construction Protocol
A step-by-step protocol for building a visual decision tree to structure complex decisions with multiple stages and uncertain outcomes
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Weighted Scoring Model Protocol
A structured protocol for making multi-criteria decisions by scoring and weighting the factors that matter
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Stop-Doing List Protocol
A structured protocol for identifying and eliminating activities, commitments, and habits that drain time and energy without producing meaningful results
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Annual Review Decision Audit
A structured year-end protocol for evaluating the quality of your major decisions over the past 12 months, designed to build decision-making skill over time
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Red Team Your Own Decision Protocol
A structured self-adversarial protocol for stress-testing a decision you've already made (or are leaning toward) by systematically arguing against it
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Second-Order Consequence Check Protocol
A structured protocol for systematically thinking beyond first-order effects of a decision to identify the cascading consequences most people miss
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Commitment Test (Trial Period Protocol)
A protocol for reducing decision risk by converting big commitments into bounded experiments
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Kill Criteria Protocol (Pre-Set Exit Points)
A protocol for defining in advance the specific conditions under which you will abandon a project, investment, or commitment — before sunk cost bias makes that decision impossible
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Regret Minimization Framework Protocol (Bezos)
A single-question decision protocol designed for major life decisions, attributed to Jeff Bezos when deciding to leave a Wall Street career to start Amazon
Decision ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Tactical Empathy Protocol (Chris Voss)
A negotiation protocol from former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss that uses empathic listening as a tactical tool to build trust and extract information
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Getting Past No Protocol (William Ury)
A five-step breakthrough negotiation protocol for handling difficult negotiators who use hard tactics — stonewalling, attacks, threats, or manipulation
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Anchoring Protocol for Negotiation
A tactical protocol for using the anchoring bias to your advantage in negotiations while defending against others' anchors
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
BATNA Preparation Checklist
A systematic protocol for developing your Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement before any negotiation, based on Fisher and Ury's Getting to Yes framework
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Calibrated Questions Technique (Voss)
A protocol for using open-ended questions as negotiation tools that gather information, create the illusion of control for the counterpart, and subtly guide them toward your goals — without making demands
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Late-Night FM DJ Voice Protocol
A vocal technique protocol from Chris Voss for controlling the emotional tone of negotiations through deliberate voice modulation
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Labeling Protocol for Negotiation
A specific technique protocol for verbally identifying and naming the other person's emotions during a negotiation, which paradoxically defuses negative emotions and reinforces positive ones
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Accusation Audit Protocol
A pre-emptive negotiation technique from Chris Voss in which you list and voice every negative thing the counterpart might think about you or your position BEFORE they say it
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Black Swan Discovery Process
A protocol for uncovering the hidden information — 'Black Swans' — that fundamentally change the negotiation landscape
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Deadline Pressure Management Protocol
A protocol for handling deadline pressure in negotiations — both when you face a deadline and when the other party imposes one
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Multi-Issue Negotiation Preparation Protocol
A preparation protocol for negotiations involving multiple issues, designed to maximize joint value through strategic trade-offs
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Post-Negotiation Debrief Protocol
A structured review protocol conducted after every negotiation to extract lessons and improve future performance
Negotiation ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Stand-Up Meeting Protocol (Daily Sync)
A rapid daily alignment protocol limiting each participant to three statements, completed standing up to enforce brevity
Meeting & Collaboration ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Retrospective Facilitation Guide (Sprint Retro)
A structured protocol for team retrospectives — periodic meetings to reflect on process and continuously improve
Meeting & Collaboration ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Brainstorming Rules Protocol (IDEO Method)
A structured brainstorming protocol based on IDEO's design thinking practice, with specific rules that make the difference between productive ideation and the unfocused sessions most teams experience
Meeting & Collaboration ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Silent Writing Before Discussion Protocol (Brainwriting)
A protocol that precedes group discussion with individual silent writing to prevent anchoring, groupthink, and dominance by extroverts
Meeting & Collaboration ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Round-Robin Protocol (Structured Turn-Taking)
A facilitation protocol that ensures every person in a meeting contributes by going around the group sequentially, giving each person an uninterrupted turn to speak
Meeting & Collaboration ProtocolsAction Protocols & How-To Frameworks
Decision-Making Meeting Structure (RAPID Framework)
A meeting protocol specifically designed for making decisions (as opposed to discussing, updating, or brainstorming)
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