Practice · Modes
Who is the conversation with?
Every relationship has its own dynamic: the power in the room, the history, what a good solution even looks like. Pick your role and the Guide starts already adapted to it.
Parent mode
A conflict with your child, adapted to their age and your role.
- The same fight about screens, chores, or homework keeps repeating
- Your teenager has stopped talking to you and you don’t know why
Teacher mode
A situation with a student, adapted to your duty of care.
- A student’s behavior is derailing the class and warnings aren’t working
- A capable student has suddenly disengaged
Partner mode
A conflict with your partner: the fight that keeps coming back.
- You have the same argument on repeat and nothing changes after
- Something’s been building and you don’t know how to raise it
Family mode
Adult family conflict: siblings, parents, in-laws, old history.
- Caregiving for a parent is falling unevenly and resentment is building
- A holiday blowup is still hanging in the air
Friend mode
A rupture or drift with a friend: repair without the weirdness.
- A friend said something that stung and you keep replaying it
- You’re always the one who reaches out, and it’s wearing thin
Manager mode
A situation with someone who reports to you.
- Someone’s performance has slipped and you don’t know why yet
- You need to give feedback that’s been building for too long
Co-worker mode
Friction with a peer: influence without authority.
- A co-worker keeps taking credit or dropping handoffs
- Someone snapped at you and it’s been awkward since
Organizer mode
Conflict inside a shared cause, where people can just leave.
- Two committed members are clashing and it’s splitting the group
- Meetings keep collapsing into fights about what’s fair
Not sure what a conversation looks like? See annotated example conversations →