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DESC Script for a Tough Conversation
Write four sentences: Describe the behavior, Express the impact, Specify the change, Consequences.
Goal
Pre-author a difficult conversation (manager, colleague, partner) so you enter with a written script that guarantees you say what you mean without flailing.
Steps
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1
D — Describe: "In Monday's meeting you interrupted me three times in five minutes". Facts only.
Expected Outcome
Immediate
You enter the conversation with a calmer heart by ~30% because anxiety is mostly "I will forget what I want to say".
Evidence base
School: Assertiveness Training / Behavioral Therapy
Founders: Sharon Anthony Bower · Gordon H. Bower (1976)
Coined in Bower & Bower's Asserting Yourself; one of the most-used assertiveness scripts in clinical psychology.
Keywords
Frequently asked questions
How long does "DESC Script for a Tough Conversation" take?
This exercise takes about 12 minutes, practiced solo in a Inner dialogue format.
When will I notice the effect of "DESC Script for a Tough Conversation"?
You enter the conversation with a calmer heart by ~30% because anxiety is mostly "I will forget what I want to say". In the short term: Within a week, the other party starts adjusting because consequences were specific, not vague.
Is "DESC Script for a Tough Conversation" evidence-based?
Yes — it draws on Assertiveness Training / Behavioral Therapy (Sharon Anthony Bower, Gordon H. Bower (1976)). Coined in Bower & Bower's Asserting Yourself; one of the most-used assertiveness scripts in clinical psychology.
Is "DESC Script for a Tough Conversation" suitable for beginners?
Its difficulty level is: Intermediate. No external tools required — it can be practiced directly inside the app.
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