Blind spots are hardest to see in ideas you are already convinced of. The Steelman Framework deliberately reverses the perspective: it first summarizes a position in its strongest form, then confronts it with substantial counterarguments from multiple angles, surfaces overlooked aspects, and works through realistic worst case scenarios.
\nThe skill is built for executives and teams who want to make a strategy, thesis or decision more resilient before a presentation, a pitch or a board meeting. The goal is not to take the position apart, but to harden it through genuine opposition: the result is a strengthened argument complete with objection handling and a clear recommendation on whether the position should be implemented as is, adjusted, or discarded.
\nThe honest limit: the skill does not replace a genuine discussion with independent people in the room, and it does not replace solid market validation. The counterarguments and worst case scenarios it generates are plausible hypotheses, not verified facts, and should be checked against real data or subject matter experts before a decision is made.
\n" }, { "id": "skill-text", "title": "Skill Text", "html": "Copy the prompt below in full into your AI tool. As a file: steelman-schema.en.json
\n" } ], "schritte": [ { "nr": 1, "titel": "Submit the position", "beschreibung": "The idea, strategy or decision is entered along with the context needed.", "rolle": "mensch" }, { "nr": 2, "titel": "Steelmanning", "beschreibung": "The position is first summarized fairly in its strongest form.", "rolle": "automatisch" }, { "nr": 3, "titel": "Challenge", "beschreibung": "Counterarguments from three to five perspectives, blind spots and worst case scenarios are worked through.", "rolle": "automatisch" }, { "nr": 4, "titel": "Result", "beschreibung": "A strengthened argument with objection handling and a clear recommendation is ready: implement, adjust or discard.", "rolle": "ergebnis" } ], "herausgeber": "Voyage Digital", "version": "2.0", "stand": "2026-07-26", "umsetzung": [ { "titel": "Provide the skill text", "text": "The prompt from the code block above is pasted into the AI tool of choice." }, { "titel": "Submit the position", "text": "The idea, strategy or decision is described along with the necessary context." }, { "titel": "Work through the challenge", "text": "Steelmanning, counterarguments and blind spots are reviewed step by step." }, { "titel": "Strengthen the argument", "text": "The objection handling and the recommendation are incorporated into the final position." } ], "zutaten": [ "Idea", "Strategy", "Decision", "Context" ], "beispielSzenario": "A company is planning to shorten its own enablement program from eight weeks to four. The skill takes the opposing position without compromise and tests the decision from three angles: from the customer's perspective, whether a shorter program is accepted at the same price, from a quality perspective, whether learning transfer holds up at all without repetition, and from a sales perspective, whether a lower workload at an unchanged price can be communicated. Two blind spots are added, along with a strengthened argument with objection handling, ready to take into internal alignment.", "eingaben": [ { "feld": "Idea, strategy, thesis or decision", "pflicht": true }, { "feld": "Context: why this position, what is at stake", "pflicht": true }, { "feld": "Desired perspectives", "pflicht": false }, { "feld": "Known weaknesses of the position", "pflicht": false }, { "feld": "Desired intensity (gentle, moderate, uncompromising)", "pflicht": false } ], "ausgabe": "The position summarized in its steelman form, counterarguments from three to five perspectives, at least two blind spots, a stress test for logical weaknesses and cognitive biases, two to three worst case scenarios with likelihood estimates, a strengthened argument with objection handling, and a clear recommendation.", "prompt": "# DESCRIPTION\nYou deliberately take the opposing position to an idea, strategy, thesis or decision. You surface blind spots and strengthen the position through targeted, substantial counterargument. Fair, but unsparingly honest, with the goal of making the position more resilient rather than simply confirming or tearing it apart. Address the user in a professional manner throughout.\n\n# INPUT\n- The idea, strategy, thesis or decision (required)\n- Context: why this position? What is at stake? (required)\n- Optional: desired perspectives, known weaknesses, intensity (gentle, moderate, uncompromising)\n\n# OUTPUT\nChallenge analysis:\n1. Position summarized, steelmanning (the position in its strongest form)\n2. Perspective challenge, counterarguments from three to five angles\n3. Blind spots, what was overlooked or underestimated\n4. Stress test, logical weaknesses and cognitive biases\n5. Worst case scenarios, two to three realistic scenarios with likelihood estimates\n6. Strengthened argument, an improved position with objection handling\n7. Recommendation, implement, adjust or discard\n\n# CONTEXT\n- Global placeholders: COMPANY, INDUSTRY, TARGET AUDIENCE\n- Always steelman first, summarize the position fairly and strongly before you challenge it\n- Counterarguments must be substantial, not superficial nitpicking\n- Stay constructive at the end, strengthen the position rather than merely questioning it\n- Name cognitive biases, for example confirmation bias or the sunk cost fallacy\n- Boundary: where facts are missing or assumptions are needed, explicitly mark these as an assumption rather than presenting them as established. Counterarguments and worst case scenarios are hypotheses, not documented facts.\n\n# WORKING INSTRUCTIONS\n## Step 1: Understand and steelman the position\nSummarize the position in its strongest form, fairly and completely, without weakening it in the process.\n\n## Step 2: Formulate counterarguments from multiple perspectives\nDevelop substantial counterarguments from three to five different angles, for example from a customer, team, finance or market perspective.\n\n## Step 3: Surface blind spots and logical weaknesses\nIdentify cognitive biases and name overlooked or underestimated aspects.\n\n## Step 4: Work through worst case scenarios\nOutline two to three realistic scenarios with an assessment of their likelihood.\n\n## Step 5: Strengthen the position and give a recommendation\nFormulate objection handling for the strongest counterarguments and give a clear, reasoned recommendation: implement, adjust or discard.\n\n# DEFINITION OF DONE\n[ ] Position fairly and completely steelmanned\n[ ] At least three perspectives with substantial counterarguments\n[ ] At least two blind spots identified\n[ ] Worst case scenarios realistic and given likelihood estimates\n[ ] Strengthened argument with objection handling\n[ ] Clear recommendation with reasoning\n[ ] Assumptions explicitly marked as assumptions\n\n# CONVERSATION START\nHello. I am your sparring partner for the opposing position. What should I challenge? Give me:\n1. Your idea, strategy or decision\n2. Context: why this position, what is at stake\n3. Optional: desired perspectives, known weaknesses, desired intensity", "einrichtung": { "intro": "Step-by-step guides for ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot Studio and Langdock.", "plattformen": [ { "plattform": "ChatGPT", "anbieter": "OpenAI", "schritte": [ "Copy the skill text above using the copy button.", "Click your profile picture and select \"Skills\".", "Click \"Create skill\" and paste the copied text as the instruction.", "Adjust inputs, outputs and format where your case requires it.", "Save the skill. It is available in all chats from that point on." ], "doku": { "label": { "de": "OpenAI Dokumentation: Skills in ChatGPT", "en": "OpenAI documentation: Skills in ChatGPT" }, "url": "https://help.openai.com/de-de/articles/20001066-skills-in-chatgpt" } }, { "plattform": "Claude", "anbieter": "Anthropic", "schritte": [ "Copy the skill text above using the copy button.", "Open claude.ai and go to \"Skills\" in your profile.", "Create a new skill and paste the copied text as the instruction.", "The skill works in claude.ai, in Claude Code and through the API.", "Available on the Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans." ], "doku": { "label": { "de": "Anthropic Dokumentation: Benutzerdefinierte Skills erstellen", "en": "Anthropic documentation: Creating custom skills" }, "url": "https://support.claude.com/de/articles/12512198-benutzerdefinierte-skills-erstellen" } }, { "plattform": "Copilot Studio", "anbieter": "Microsoft", "schritte": [ "Copy the skill text above using the copy button.", "Open Copilot Studio and create a new agent.", "Paste the copied text as the instruction.", "Connect knowledge sources and tools where needed.", "Publish the agent for yourself or for your organisation." ], "doku": { "label": { "de": "Microsoft Dokumentation: Einen Agent erstellen und bereitstellen", "en": "Microsoft documentation: Create and deploy an agent" }, "url": "https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/microsoft-copilot-studio/fundamentals-get-started" } }, { "plattform": "Langdock", "anbieter": null, "schritte": [ "Copy the skill text above using the copy button.", "Open the sidebar and click \"Add skill\".", "Paste the copied text directly as the instruction.", "Connect the skill to integrations such as Gmail or Slack where needed.", "Save the skill and release it for yourself or your team." ], "doku": { "label": { "de": "Langdock Dokumentation: Skills", "en": "Langdock documentation: Skills" }, "url": "https://docs.langdock.com/de/product/chat/skills" } } ] }, "itemIcon": "shield-half", "recommended": [ { "slug": "annahmen-protokoll", "category": "skill", "name": "The Assumption Protocol", "teaser": "The Assumption Protocol exposes a belief layer by layer, from its surface justification down to the root assumption beneath it, and shows honestly which layers actually hold up.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "help-circle" }, { "slug": "gegenrede-protokoll", "category": "skill", "name": "The Devil's Advocate Protocol", "teaser": "The Devil's Advocate Protocol deliberately argues against your strategy or decision to expose risks, questionable assumptions and blind spots before you commit resources.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "messages-square" }, { "slug": "stresstest-protokoll", "category": "skill", "name": "The Stress Test Protocol", "teaser": "Puts a concept, process or strategy under attack from the perspective of a specific critic, such as a skeptical CFO or an impatient customer, and exposes its weak points before they surface in the real meeting.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "activity" }, { "slug": "gegenargument-sparringspartner", "category": "assistent", "name": "The Counterargument Sparring Partner", "teaser": "Tests a thesis or decision by formulating well-founded counterarguments and systematically questioning assumptions, evidence and logic.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "shield-half" }, { "slug": "strategie-sparringspartner", "category": "assistent", "name": "The Strategy Sparring Partner", "teaser": "Checks strategy drafts with the same rigor you would apply to code before a release, systematically attacking assumptions instead of confirming them.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "milestone" }, { "slug": "business-case-geruest", "category": "skill", "name": "The Business Case Builder", "teaser": "Turns a project idea, its costs and expected benefits into a complete business case with ROI, payback period, three scenarios and a reasoned go or no-go recommendation.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "trending-up" }, { "slug": "chancenraum-konzept", "category": "skill", "name": "The Opportunity Space Concept", "teaser": "Turns a seemingly disadvantageous situation into its own opportunity space, working out what becomes possible precisely because of it instead of searching for the obvious problem solution.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "map" }, { "slug": "domino-raster", "category": "skill", "name": "The Domino Grid", "teaser": "The Domino Grid traces a planned action across five levels of consequences to reveal where the real strategic opportunity actually lies.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "waypoints" }, { "slug": "entscheidungs-dossier", "category": "skill", "name": "The Decision Dossier", "teaser": "The Decision Dossier turns a decision question, options and context into a structured decision template with a weighted scoring matrix, pros and cons, a risk assessment and a substantiated recommendation.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "scale" }, { "slug": "fundament-geruest", "category": "skill", "name": "The First Principles Framework", "teaser": "The First Principles Framework strips an existing solution or industry practice down to its fundamental truths and rebuilds it from zero, free of convention.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "blocks" }, { "slug": "ideen-manoever", "category": "skill", "name": "The Idea Maneuver", "teaser": "Generates at least 10 ideas for a given question across multiple creativity techniques and rates each one for feasibility and impact.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "lightbulb" }, { "slug": "muster-dossier", "category": "skill", "name": "The Pattern Dossier", "teaser": "Collects a series of decisions, projects, or content and exposes the overarching pattern behind them, including the actual unconscious strategy, real selection criteria, and blind spots.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "grid-2x2" }, { "slug": "umkehr-manoever", "category": "skill", "name": "The Reversal Maneuver", "teaser": "The Reversal Maneuver takes your biggest business constraint and inverts it completely into a concrete competitive advantage, target audience, and business model, instead of merely softening the disadvantage.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "undo-2" }, { "slug": "widerspruchs-schema", "category": "skill", "name": "The Contradiction Resolver", "teaser": "Finds a solution that fully satisfies two seemingly contradictory requirements by questioning the premise behind the conflict and testing sequence, level, and system-redesign approaches instead of settling for a compromise.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "split" }, { "slug": "zeitachsen-manoever", "category": "skill", "name": "The Timeline Maneuver", "teaser": "Places the same problem on a timeline and questions it three times, in the past, present and future, to reveal patterns, blind spots and courses of action.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "calendar-range" }, { "slug": "business-case-dokumentierer", "category": "assistent", "name": "The Business Case Documenter", "teaser": "Turns a project idea, an investment or an initiative into the form decision makers actually read: benefits, costs, risks and a clear recommendation, cleanly structured and free of jargon.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "trending-up" }, { "slug": "wettbewerbskraefte-pruefer", "category": "assistent", "name": "The Five Forces Analyzer", "teaser": "Analyzes an industry systematically using Michael Porter's five competitive forces and derives a well founded assessment of market attractiveness.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung", "itemIcon": "swords" }, { "slug": "grill-me", "category": "tool", "name": "grill-me", "teaser": "grill-me is an external skill repository by Matt Pocock that clarifies plans and designs through persistent questioning, branch by branch, before any code is written.", "domaene": "Strategie & Entscheidung" }, { "slug": "vertragsrisiko-kette", "category": "workflow", "name": "The Contract Risk Chain", "teaser": "An automation workflow that reads new contracts on arrival, extracts key terms, and files a structured high, medium and low risk assessment for the responsible team to review.", "domaene": "Recht & Compliance", "itemIcon": "file-warning" } ] }