leadership strategy

Pressure-test a decision before you make it

Before choosing a direction, ask AI to argue the other side, name the weak assumptions, and list what would change your mind.

By LY ·

Executive take

Quick answer

The tip

Use AI as a sparring partner before a decision, not as the decision-maker. Give it the option you prefer and ask it to challenge the logic: weak assumptions, second-order effects, who may disagree, and what evidence would change the call.

Perspective

Business leader

Primary audience

Why this matters for this role

    What this role should do

      Watchouts

        The tip

        Use AI as a sparring partner before a decision, not as the decision-maker. Give it the option you prefer and ask it to challenge the logic: weak assumptions, second-order effects, who may disagree, and what evidence would change the call.

        Where it helps

        Use it before budget decisions, hiring choices, vendor selection, org changes, pricing moves, product priorities, and board recommendations. It is useful when everyone in the room is already leaning the same way.

        How to try it

        Prompt: “I am leaning toward this decision. Challenge it like a thoughtful operator. List the assumptions, the strongest counterargument, the likely unintended consequences, and what evidence would change the recommendation.” Keep the final decision with the human owner.

        Caveats

        AI can sound balanced while missing your real context. Use it to improve the quality of questions, not to create false certainty. Record the final call, owner, date, and reason in a decision log.

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        Sources

        Editorial guidance based on workplace practice patterns. Add external citations before publishing factual claims or policy guidance.