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Coaching Module 6 Overview: Clapbacks that Work

July 31, 2026

Module Overview

Core Question: How do you handle pushback when you implement these strategies professionally?

What You'll Learn:

  • Recognizing the 5 passive-aggressive tactics

  • Understanding the cultural trap (why you keep falling for it)

  • Tactical responses for each type of passive-aggression

  • When to use tactical responses vs. when to pivot (document, escalate, or exit)

  • Building your support network strategically

  • Protecting yourself from retaliation

How These Sessions Work

STEP 1: Watch Video 1 (15 minutes)

Before Session 11

What it teaches:

  • The 5 passive-aggressive tactics

  • Why you fall for them (cultural communication differences)

  • How plausible deniability works as a weapon

  • The cross-cultural trap

What it prepares you for:

  • Completing Worksheets 34 & 35

  • Understanding why this isn't about you being "too sensitive"

STEP 2: Complete Worksheets 34 & 35 (30-45 minutes)

Before Session 11

Worksheet 34: Difficult People Inventory

  • Map 3-5 difficult people

  • Identify which tactics each uses

  • Pick 1-2 priorities for coaching

Worksheet 35: Response Audit

  • Document 5 recent incidents

  • Identify when you took the bait vs. didn't

  • Spot your patterns and triggers

These worksheets are data collection. Just document what's happening - don't solve it yet.

STEP 3: Session 11 (50 minutes)

Coaching Focus: Understanding Why You Take the Bait & Creating Tactical Responses

Your coach will:

  • Help you choose ONE situation from your priorities

  • Explore why their specific tactics work on YOU

  • Identify your cultural communication style vs. workplace expectations

  • Teach you how tactical responses work

  • Create specific scripts for YOUR situation

  • Practice the responses with you

Key frameworks covered:

  • Communication style differences (direct vs. indirect)

  • Power dynamics in your specific situation

  • Which tactical responses are safer vs. riskier for you

  • How to choose the right response

You'll leave with:

  • Clear understanding of why you keep taking the bait

  • Tactical responses scripted for your specific situation

  • An experiment to try before Session 12

STEP 4: Watch Video 2 (15 minutes)

Between Session 11 & Session 12

What it teaches:

  • Tactical responses for all 5 tactics (from Video 1)

  • The decision tree: Keep trying tactical responses? Document? Escalate? Exit?

  • When to pivot strategies

  • How to gray rock narcissists

What it prepares you for:

  • Completing Worksheets 36-38

  • Making strategic decisions about each situation

STEP 5: Complete Worksheets 36-38 (60-90 minutes)

Before Session 12

Worksheet 36: Passive-Aggressive Behavior Decoder

  • For 3 incidents, decode what happened

  • Plan ALL response options for each

  • Choose which response you'll use

Worksheet 37: Confrontation Decision Tree

  • For each priority situation: tactical responses, document, escalate, or exit?

  • Assess your options and power

  • Decide your path forward

Worksheet 38: Building Your Support Network

  • Map allies, witnesses, advocates

  • Identify who NOT to trust

  • Create strategic activation plan

These worksheets apply what your coach taught you to ALL your situations.

STEP 6: Session 12 (50 minutes)

Coaching Focus: Finalizing Your Plan & Integration

Your coach will:

  • Debrief the experiment from Session 11

  • Review your decision tree for each situation

  • Help you finalize which path to take

  • Ensure your support network is strong

  • Address any situations where you need to escalate

  • Integrate all 6 modules into a cohesive approach

You'll leave with:

  • Clear action plan for each difficult person/situation

  • Activated support network

  • Confidence in your tactical responses

  • Integration plan connecting all 6 modules

Session Objectives

By the end of Sessions 11-12, you will:

✓ Recognize the 5 passive-aggressive tactics when they're happening
✓ Understand why you fall for them (cultural communication trap)
✓ Have tactical responses for each tactic
✓ Know which responses are safer vs. riskier based on your power dynamics
✓ Have a decision tree for each difficult situation (respond, document, escalate, exit)
✓ Have a strategic support network mapped and activated
✓ Understand when to pivot from tactical responses to documentation/escalation
✓ Know how to protect yourself from retaliation

Most importantly: You'll stop taking the bait and start responding strategically - or choosing to gray rock and exit when that's the smarter play.

Integration with Previous Modules

Module 6 builds on:

Module 1 (Code-Switching): Understanding cultural communication differences
Module 2 (Strategic Communication): Knowing how to frame responses strategically
Module 3 (Assertiveness): Setting boundaries and giving accountability feedback

  • Note: Module 3 provides comprehensive documentation and escalation training - Module 6 gives tactical immediate responses

Module 4 (Leverage): Understanding workplace reciprocity and avoiding exploitation
Module 5 (Delegation): Protecting your capacity and not being exploited

Module 6 teaches: How to handle the pushback and conflict when you implement all those strategies.

Timeline

Week 1:

  • Watch Video 1

  • Complete Worksheets 34 & 35

  • Session 11 (50 min)

  • Try experiment from Session 11

Week 2:

  • Watch Video 2

  • Complete Worksheets 36-38

  • Session 12 (50 min)

  • Complete Worksheet 39 (integration)

Total time commitment: ~5-6 hours over 2 weeks

Expected Outcomes

Mindset Shifts:

  • From "Am I too sensitive?" → "I recognize this tactic"

  • From "Why can't I handle this?" → "This is a cultural trap I wasn't taught"

  • From reactive → Strategic

  • From taking the bait → Choosing my response

Behavior Changes:

  • Stop second-guessing yourself when you recognize tactics

  • Use tactical responses instead of getting defensive

  • Know when to document/escalate instead of just responding

  • Build support networks proactively

  • Gray rock narcissists instead of engaging

Skill Development:

  • Decode vague language

  • Respond strategically in the moment

  • Make smart decisions about when to pivot

  • Activate support networks effectively

  • Protect yourself from retaliation

Final Notes

This module often surfaces trauma from past workplace situations. Participants may realize they've been gaslit for years. Hold space for that while keeping them focused on CURRENT situations they can change.

Not every situation can be fixed. Sometimes the best outcome is: "I now understand what was happening, I have a plan to protect myself, and I know when to leave."

The goal isn't to win every battle. The goal is to stop taking the bait, respond strategically when possible, and know when to gray rock and exit.

Integration with all 6 modules happens in Session 12 and Worksheet 39. Don't skip the integration - that's where participants see how everything connects.

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