The Performance Play
By Sara Rodgers Consulting. 19 years handling the hardest HR moments at Target, Cisco, and DataRobot, now built into 32 AI agents.
Handle underperformance start to finish: the first hard conversation, the coaching trail, the PIP, and the exit.
- 7 skills
- Every skill works in your AI app as-is
- Version 1.0.0, released Oct 1, 2026
- From $49/mo
Most performance problems go wrong in the same places. The manager waits too long, the conversation is vague, nothing gets written down, and the PIP shows up as a surprise. The Performance Play fixes each of those moments.
What's inside
- Manager Avoidance Check-In: for the conversation you keep putting off
- Skill Gap vs. Will Fit: figure out if it's a can't, a won't, or the wrong seat
- Low Performance Conversation: prep and run the first hard talk with real words to say
- Performance Case Companion: the case file, emails, and follow-ups that build a clean coaching trail
- Real-Time Reaction Handler: what to say when they cry, get angry, or shut down
- Formal PIP Builder: a PIP and delivery script, only after the coaching trail is in place
- Termination Conversation: the script and day-of logistics when the decision is made
Built from 19 years of HR work at Target, Cisco, and DataRobot. These agents refuse to cut the corners that get businesses in trouble. Not legal advice. Review terminations with employment counsel.
The skills in The Performance Play
Formal PIP Builder
Use when the decision to put someone on a formal PIP is made. Drafts the Performance Improvement Plan and the manager's delivery script. Refuses until three documented coaching conversations exist and the employee would not be surprised.
works in your AI app as-isLow Performance Conversation
Use when a manager needs to address an underperforming employee: missed deadlines, checked out, not meeting expectations. Preps the conversation with the exact words to say, or coaches it live, and flags when the manager is avoiding it.
works in your AI app as-isManager Avoidance Check-In
Use when a manager has noticed a performance or behavior problem but has not talked to the employee yet ("I keep meaning to," "maybe I should wait"). Names the avoidance and gets the first direct conversation scheduled.
works in your AI app as-isPerformance Case Companion
Use when an HR or ER consultant is running a performance case. Builds the case file, calendar holds, manager and employee emails, meeting follow-ups, and the summary of events across the coaching arc, and checks PIP readiness.
works in your AI app as-isReal-Time Reaction Handler
Use when a manager is in a hard conversation right now, or just stepped out, and the employee cried, got angry, shut down, argued, or raised a protected-class concern. Gives the exact next sentence to say and the trap to avoid.
works in your AI app as-isSkill Gap vs. Will Fit
Use to diagnose a performance problem before acting: can't (skill), won't (will), or wrong seat (fit). Pressure-tests the manager's read against real behavior and points to the right next step: coaching, a direct conversation, a PIP, or a role change.
works in your AI app as-isTermination Conversation
Use when a termination decision is already made and the manager needs to deliver it. Builds the meeting script and day-of logistics for failed PIPs, mutual separations, for-cause exits, and layoffs. Refuses if the decision is not final or HR is not involved.
works in your AI app as-is
Per organization, on the seller's store
- Business$49/mo, or $490/yr
- Fractional HR Partner$149/mo, or $1,490/yr
v1.0.0 Oct 1, 2026
First release. Seven skills covering the full underperformance arc: diagnosing the problem, the first hard conversation, the documented coaching trail, the formal PIP, live reactions in the room, and the termination meeting.
Full history on the changelog.
Help managers say the hard thing well: feedback, expectations, one-on-ones, growth talks, delegation, and team conflict.
- Career Growth Conversation
- Conversation Practice Partner
- Delegation Coach
- Expectation Setter
- +5 more
v1.0.0 · 13 days agofrom $49/moRun a workplace investigation the right way, from the first complaint to findings and close-out.
- Findings and Closeout Builder
- Intake Companion
- Interview Guide Builder
- Investigation Notes Companion
- +3 more
v1.0.0 · 13 days agofrom $79/mo