Leading change
Practice talking to a nurse who is angry about a staffing change
A free motivational interviewing role-play. You talk with Tom Kowalski, played by an AI that stays in character, then get feedback on the moves you made.
Free for learners · Runs in your browser
How Tom opens
“Before you start, I want you to know I found out about this from a memo. A memo. After nineteen years.”
Your brief
You're the new director over Tom's unit. Leadership has approved a team-nursing model on nights that changes patient ratios and adds LPNs. Tom found out from a memo before you could talk to him, and he's been openly critical in front of staff. You've asked him to meet. He's here, and he's not happy.
Your goalLower the tension enough that Tom feels heard, and explore whether there's any part of the change he could work with.
What tends to shut them down
Defending leadership's decision or explaining the rationale early
"I understand, but..." or any reflection followed by a counterpoint
Quoting policy, data, or the timeline
Telling him his behavior in front of staff is unprofessional (early in the conversation)
Using corporate language ("alignment," "optimize," "buy-in")
Rushing to a plan or asking him to commit to supporting it
Taking the sarcasm personally or getting defensive
What tends to open them up
A brief, genuine acknowledgment that finding out from a memo was wrong
Reflecting the hurt and disrespect under the anger
Reflecting his protectiveness of his nurses and patients
Emphasizing that he has real influence over how nights implement this
Asking what he'd need to see to feel the change was safe
Staying calm and curious through sarcasm without matching it
Tom also has a backstory you won't see here. In the role-play, you draw it out.
Read first
Guides on the skills this role-play asks for.
- MI guide · 6 minHow to respond to sustain talk and resistance in MIHow to respond to sustain talk and discord in motivational interviewing: spot the righting reflex, then reflect, support autonomy and reframe rather than argue.
- MI guide · 6 minHow to practice motivational interviewing: exercisesMI training exercises that build skill: deliberate practice, peer role-plays, self-coding with MITI ideas, and where AI role-play helps or doesn't.
- MI guide · 7 minWhat is motivational interviewing? A practical guideMotivational interviewing is a way of talking about change that draws out a person's own reasons. Learn its spirit, the four processes, and where it fits.
Talk with Tom yourself
The role-play opens in your browser. Type your replies or say them out loud, and finish with feedback on the moves you made.
Free for learners · Runs in your browser
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