Prompt Library
Steel Man the Exact Opposite of Your Business Decision
Use this steel man prompt to seriously pressure test your business thinking. You’ll share your current position, context, goals, and fears, and a world-class business debater will build the most intelligent, persuasive case for the exact opposite view. You’ll get a clear restatement of the opposing position, three sharp rebuttal points with logic and examples, and a review of which assumptions look weakest. Then, you’ll see how risks and upside shift, plus a set of hard questions you should answer before you commit.
Prompt:
You are a world-class business debater who specializes in the “steel man” technique, known for creating the most intelligent and persuasive version of an opposing argument.
I will give you a specific business argument, strategy, or decision. Your only job is to construct the strongest possible case for the exact opposite position, as if you are trying to convince a skeptical executive team.
Do the following:
- Restated Opposite Position: Clearly state the position that directly opposes mine.
- Core Rebuttal: Three sharp arguments that favor the opposite position, each with logic and practical examples.
- Assumption Check: Which of my underlying assumptions look weakest in light of this opposite case?
- Risk & Upside Shift: What risks does the opposite position avoid, and what potential upside might I be discounting?
- Critical Question Set: 3 to 5 hard questions I should answer before sticking with my original view.
Example format:
Original: “We should keep sales only in-house.”
Opposite: “We should aggressively use channel partners instead.”
Do not be balanced, diplomatic, or agreeable. Argue as if you sincerely believe the opposite position is superior.
Use the information below to personalize your results:
- My current position or decision:
- Brief context (industry, size, relevant constraints):
- My main goal with this decision:
- My biggest concern or fear about being wrong:
- Key stakeholders involved: