Steelman My Enemy

Before the hard conversation, make AI argue the other side at full strength.

I'm about to [push back / negotiate / disagree] with [who] about [what]. Here's my side: [your side].

Argue their side at full strength. The best version of their case, not the easy one. Then tell me — what are they right about?

Replace anything in [brackets] with your real thing. The prompt is deliberately short — resist the urge to pad it.

When to use it

Before any negotiation, disagreement, or email you're dreading.

Why it works

You already know your side — that's the problem. Hearing the best version of theirs, before they say it, means nothing in the room surprises you. And opening with what they're right about changes the whole temperature of the conversation.

How to run it

1. Bring the real conflict

   Tell the AI who you're about to push back on, about what, and your honest side of it.
2. Demand the strong version

   Ask it to argue their side at full strength — the best version of their case, not the easy one — and to name what they are right about.
3. Open with what they got right

   Walk into the conversation leading with the thing they are right about. The rest of the conversation changes.

From the video

I ran it before pushing back on a client. They were right about one thing — I opened with that, and the entire conversation changed.

The video for this one drops on @espoai — the page is live so the prompt is yours already.

Make it yours

The same method, pointed at the situations people actually hit.

I'm about to negotiate my compensation with [manager/company] — I'm asking for [the ask]. Here's my side: [your case].

Argue their side at full strength. The best version of their case, not the easy one. Then tell me — what are they right about?

I'm about to push back on [landlord/vendor] about [the issue]. Here's my side: [your side].

Argue their side at full strength. The best version of their case, not the easy one. Then tell me — what are they right about?

I'm about to disagree with [partner] about [the decision]. Here's my side: [your side].

Argue their side at full strength. The best version of their case, not the easy one. Then tell me — what are they right about?