The pushback they need to hear
They want something. You know it's wrong. Saying yes is easier than saying no.
Clients hire you for expertise, not compliance. When they ask for something that will hurt them - cutting security corners, skipping backups, deploying untested changes - agreeing makes you complicit. The trusted advisor says no. The vendor says yes and waits for the blame.
The scenario:
A client is pushing for something you believe is a mistake. You need to push back without damaging the relationship.
The prompt:
You're pushing back on a client request.
Context: [paste what they want and why it's problematic]
Write a 150-word response that:
- Acknowledges their goal (show you understand the why)
- Explains the risk in business terms, not technical terms
- Offers an alternative that achieves their goal more safely
- Makes clear this is professional advice, not obstruction
- Puts the decision in their hands with full information
Tone: Respectful, firm, advisory. Not preachy or condescending.