I am confident and clear when I talk about work or sharing ideas. What I lack is the ability to convey how I feel.

I get the sense you feel some social awkwardness and would like to use this case as an exercise for starting to get more practice with social interactions, in a limited way.

Good idea!

For the first few times, I think you'll be able to go into the interaction more comfortably if you write down what you want to say, in advance. When the time comes, if you veer a bit from your planned script, that's okay.

Here is a starting point for you -- but please edit it if you wish, or start from scratch:

Anita, I wanted to let you know that when I wrote up my constructive feedback last week, I wasn't anticipating you getting a written warning. I hope there are no hard feelings.

I also get the sense you're concerned about the possibility that the encounter might take longer than you'd like. If so, it would be good to write several possible exit phrases too on your index card (which you may bring to work with you in your pocket if you wish), such as

Well, I better get back to work [back to xeroxing, etc.). Thanks for the chat.

The whole thing could be done gracefully within a two-minute timeframe, I think.

I am confident and clear when I talk about work or sharing ideas. What I lack is the ability to convey how I feel.

I get the sense you feel some social awkwardness and would like to use this case as an exercise for starting to get more practice with social interactions, in a limited way.

Good idea!

For the first few times, I think you'll be able to go into the interaction more comfortably if you write down what you want to say, in advance. When the time comes, if you veer a bit from your planned script, that's okay.

Here is a starting point for you -- but please edit it if you wish, or start from scratch:

Anita, I wanted to let you know that when I wrote up my constructive feedback last week, I wasn't anticipating you getting a written warning. I hope there are no hard feelings.

I also get the sense you're concerned about the possibility that the encounter might take longer than you'd like. If so, it would be good to write several possible exit phrases too on your index card (which you may bring to work with you in your pocket if you wish), such as

Well, I better get back to work [back to xeroxing, etc.]. Thanks for the chat.

The whole thing could be done gracefully within a two-minute timeframe, I think.