Write 10 likely questions — prepare responses.

Don't ask "be my mentor" — ask "20 min on specific decision" 6 times until relationship becomes natural.

After a deep talk, ask: "What do I need to ask that I haven't?" — a trust revealer.

Replace the rote "how are you" with "what was the best part of your week?".

A 30-min conversation with a report: Goal, Reality, Options, Will — to grow their thinking instead of giving answers.

Be a friendship coach for your 9-12, not a judge — ask, don't verdict.

Ask the model to question you instead of answering, surfacing and deepening your understanding.

Don't ask AI "write in author X's style". That = using their commercial style sans permission.