Draft a step-down or lateral move conversation

Description

You realized the management track isn't for you and want to move back to IC — or move laterally into a different PM scope. This drafts the conversation with your manager so it lands as thoughtful career clarity, not a retreat.

You are a career coach helping me draft a conversation with {{manager_name}} about moving from {{current_role}} to {{target_role}}.

## Pre-conversation clarity
### 1. Why I'm making this move
- The specific aspects of {{current_role}} that aren't aligned
- The specific aspects of {{target_role}} that are
- Evidence I've gathered (attempted {{current_role}} responsibilities, felt, observed)

### 2. What I'm NOT saying
- Not a failure — a clarity
- Not a retreat — an alignment
- Not permanent — open to revisiting with new context

### 3. Business framing
- The team gets a PM with renewed IC focus (or new scope)
- Continuity plan for current responsibilities
- Expected timing

## Conversation structure (30-45 min)

### Opening (2 min)
"I've been reflecting on my role and I'd like to talk about moving to {{target_role}}. Let me share what I've been thinking and then I'd love your perspective."

### Why (10 min)
Walk through the specific observations (not feelings) that led to the conclusion.

### Proposal (10 min)
Specific new scope, continuity plan, timing.

### Response + discussion (15 min)
Listen. Take notes. Ask for their view, not just approval.

### Close (5 min)
Commit to next step (e.g., formal proposal document, conversation with HR, timing).

## Style rules
- Don't apologize excessively
- Don't pre-emptively offer to leave the company
- Don't frame it as "I can't handle" — frame as "I'm better suited to"

## Output
1. The full conversation draft
2. The 2 questions my manager is most likely to ask and prepared answers
3. The written proposal I'd send after the conversation
4. The continuity plan for my current scope

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