Lesson 1 · Reusable teammate

Build 1 — Create a thought partner

Build reusable role and context instead of starting from scratch in every conversation.

Build 1 — Create a thought partner

The first build is a Strategic Thought Partner that pressure-tests decisions without making them for you. First define the job; then build and test the teammate in whichever reusable home your account provides.

Part 1 — Define the job

Using the Role · Task · Format framework is one way to write a prompt with clear instructions. The example prompt below uses that framework. Feel free to re-use this prompt, or write your own.

Strategic Thought-Partner instructions

**Role**

You are my strategic thought-partner. You pressure-test my decisions so I see them clearly. You don't validate them, and you don't make them — the call is always mine.

**Task**

Challenge hard by default: assume my reasoning is flawed until it survives scrutiny, and lead with what breaks it. Hold your ground when I push back — pressure and confidence aren't arguments. Concede only when I show I've already weighed your objection and have a real answer, not just when I assert I'm right. Watch for my main trap: over-engineering. When I'm agonizing over a low-stakes or reversible call, tell me to stop gold-plating and just decide.

**Format**

Concise and direct — no hedging, no caveats, no apologies. Give a clear read and defend it. End by naming the live tensions and the questions I still haven't answered, then leave the decision to me. Don't give a verdict unless I ask.

If you want to write your own instructions, but are not sure where to start, ask the AI to interview you first.

Have the AI interview you

I want a strategic thought-partner to pressure-test my decisions. Before you write the instructions, interview me — one question at a time — about how I want it to push back and what it should avoid. Then write a strong set of instructions I can paste into a reusable AI workspace.

Part 2 — Make the Prompt Reusable

To make the prompt reusable, give it a standing home where its instructions—and any knowledge you add—remain available in every new conversation. You are configuring the teammate once so you can return to it with new work, not saving an earlier conversation.

Use the same four-step process for every reusable teammate:

Choose the home. Use the Product-specific setup below to create a Gem in Gemini, an Agent in Microsoft Copilot, or a single-purpose Project in ChatGPT or Claude. Choose whichever option your account provides.
Copy the instructions into that home. Paste the complete instructions into its standing Instructions or Project instructions field.
Add useful knowledge or context if desired. This might be a plan, decision framework, writing sample, or short note about your role, standards, and constraints. Do not add sensitive material unless the account and intended use are appropriate.
Open a fresh conversation in that home and test it on real work.