Most people start here
The book
The full method, the Room Report, and the Five-Minute Check. A practical reference for the work in front of you.
71 pages · Kindle · $6.99
A decision framework for AI at workWho’s missing
Who’s missing
from the room?
Your AI draft may look finished.
The thinking might not be.
Find the person whose perspective could change the work — then review before you rewrite. Most people start with the 71-page book. Prefer a walkthrough? The course is 17 minutes.
By Nick Mastro · Kindle book + 17-minute course
Perspective before polish.Hypothesis ≠ proof.Human judgment. Always.
The shiftA better draft starts
A better draft starts
with a better question.
AI can help you write a convincing answer. The Empty Chair method asks who needs to challenge it.
An illustrative exampleA proposal, before you send it
The first draft“A seamless transition
“A seamless transition
for your team.”
The proposal explains the benefits. It says little about the work the customer must do to get there.
The missing perspective“Who handles the change
“Who handles the change
on Monday morning?”
Seat the operations manager who has to make it happen. What time, training, and support will their team need?
The next move
Check those assumptions with the customer. Then revise around what you learn.
The Empty Chair methodReview
Review
before
rewrite.
Three moves, one habit. Seat the person closest to the outcome. Review the draft from their situation. Check what matters before you rewrite.
Walk through a decision →Seat the Empty Chair
Put one piece of work on the table. Name the person closest to the next outcome — the buyer, approver, user, or teammate who is not in the conversation yet.
Review from that seat
Note their situation (a Context Card) and look at the draft from there (a Room Report). Treat what you hear as a hypothesis, never as proof.
Check, then rewrite
Sort what to use, validate, explore, or reject. Check what matters with people or records. Add another chair only when a new question earns it.
Choose your starting pointRead the method.
Read the method.
Practice the habit.
Most people start with the book. Take the 17-minute course if you want guided practice of the same pause.
Practice the review habit
The course
Guided practice of the same pause: seat one Empty Chair, review, then decide what to change. Bring a piece of work and follow along.
17 minutes · Self-serve
Behind the frameworkWritten where AI
Written where AI
meets real work.
Nick Mastro is the author of The Room System and founder of Greater Results. His work brings AI, product thinking, and human judgment into everyday business decisions.
Meet Nick Mastro →A few useful answers
Before you begin.
Should I start with the book or the course?
Most people start with the book (71 pages, $6.99). Take the 17-minute course if you want a guided walkthrough of the same pause.
What is the Empty Chair method?
Name the person closest to the next outcome — not the highest title, not everyone. Seat one Empty Chair, review the draft from that seat, then decide what to change.
Is this a prompt book?
No. It changes who you bring into the conversation before you ask — not what to paste into the chat.
Does this replace talking to real people?
No. A simulated perspective can suggest a blind spot; it cannot confirm what someone thinks. Check important assumptions with people, records, or qualified expertise.
Who wrote The Room System?
Nick Mastro, founder of Greater Results.
Put it into practiceYour next draft.
Your next draft.
A new perspective.
Most people start with the book. Bring the Empty Chair method to a proposal, a plan, or a decision that matters this week.
Kindle · 71 pages · $6.99 · Also available with Kindle Unlimited
Prefer guided practice? Explore the course →