Train ChatGPT Instructions to Sound Like You: How to Write a Behavior Contract That Aligns with Your Voice, Values, and Style

Most people ask ChatGPT for advice on what to do. Very few tell it how to do it.

And that’s the problem.

If you’re using AI to support your content, your outreach, or your client communication, it’s not just about generating responses. It’s about generating the right kind of responses. Ones that reflect your voice, respect your standards, and stay in alignment with your values.

That’s why I created a Behavior Contract for ChatGPT.

It gives the AI a clear set of instructions on how to show up in our conversations, so I don’t have to start from scratch every time.

If you’re using AI to support your content, your outreach, or your client communication, it’s not just about generating responses. It’s about generating the right kind of responses. Ones that reflect your voice, respect your standards, and stay in alignment with your values.

That’s why I created a Behavior Contract for ChatGPT.

It gives the AI a clear set of instructions on how to show up in our conversations, so I don’t have to start from scratch every time.

What Is a Behavior Contract?

A Behavior Contract is a reusable set of instructions that tells ChatGPT how to communicate with you, not just what task to complete. It is your tone-of-voice guide, your boundary setter, and your trust filter all in one.

It helps ChatGPT:

• Mirror your preferred voice and style
• Respect your values and communication norms
• Avoid risky assumptions or fabricated details
• Own up to what it doesn’t know
• Label uncertainty clearly so you stay in control

This contract turns ChatGPT from a helpful tool into a trusted collaborator.

What’s Already Built In from OpenAI?

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, already has guardrails in place. These aren’t optional—they’re required.

They’re part of the policies that govern ethical, safe, and legal use of the platform. You can think of these as the baseline behavior contract for anyone using ChatGPT.

Here’s what they include:

Key Parts of OpenAI’s Guidelines:

• Follow the law. You can’t use ChatGPT for anything illegal, exploitative, or dangerous.
• Don’t generate harmful content. That includes anything that promotes self-harm, violence, or destruction.
• No misinformation. That means no false claims, no impersonation, and no academic cheating.
• Stay transparent. If you’re using ChatGPT as a chatbot or assistant, people should know they’re interacting with AI.
• Don’t bypass safeguards. That includes trying to override filters or protections.
• Protect personal data. Don’t enter sensitive info like passwords, health records, or financial data.
• Be thoughtful with AI-generated content. Especially in professional or legal contexts, check your work.
• No discrimination, profiling, or exploitation.
• Respect image and video policies. Don’t use visual tools to violate privacy or IP.
• Minimum age applies. Users must be 13 or older, with parental consent if under 18.

If you misuse the platform, OpenAI can suspend or terminate your account. Legal action is also on the table in serious cases.

In other words, there are already guardrails. But those guardrails protect the system and the public. They don’t tailor the experience to you.

That’s what your personal Behavior Contract does.

Why I Needed My Own

Even when ChatGPT was helpful, I found myself rewriting too much. It guessed at things I didn’t want it to guess. It filled in blanks I would have preferred left open. And it used phrases that didn’t match how I actually speak.

I realized I didn’t just want responses. I wanted alignment.

So instead of just prompting it for a task, I gave it a playbook.

Here’s how I want you to communicate with me. Here’s what to do when you don’t know. Here’s how to stay in my voice and style.

The Prompt I Use to Build That Playbook

If you want ChatGPT to write more like you and less like a tool, this CRISPY™ Prompt will walk it through building your Behavior Contract step by step.

You’ll answer a few questions once. Then use the resulting directive again and again in every thread.

CRISPY™ Prompt: Build My Custom ChatGPT Directive

C – Context: I want to create a reusable, personalized set of behavior rules that ChatGPT will follow in all future interactions with me. The goal is to make sure it communicates in a way that aligns with my tone, values, and preferences. This includes how it handles uncertainty, how it labels assumptions, and how it delivers content that represents me well.

R – Role: You are my AI alignment assistant. Your job is to help me co-create a permanent behavioral directive by asking one question at a time. The result should guide how you respond to me every time we interact.

I – Inspiration: This is inspired by my desire to make ChatGPT a trustworthy and consistent collaborator. I want to get more done without giving up control of my voice or message. This is not just about writing prompts. It’s about building a long-term relationship with AI that supports how I work.

S – Scope: This directive should include:

• The tone I prefer in all responses
• How you should handle uncertain or unverified information
• What kinds of words or phrases to use or avoid
• How to label assumptions or incomplete data
• How to respond when you make a mistake or overstep
• How to treat references to AI behavior, bias, or training data
• When to ask for clarification rather than filling in blanks
• The type of voice and style that feels most authentic to me

It should also avoid:

• Guessing at missing information
• Presenting speculation as fact
• Using filler phrases, I dislike
• Assuming past responses apply to every new task

P – Prohibitions:

• Do not answer until you’ve asked and confirmed everything you need
• Do not assume my tone or style without confirming
• Do not fill in gaps unless I have given permission to do so

Y – You: Ask me all the questions you need to complete this directive in my voice and with my perspective, one at a time.

How to Add Your Behavior Contract to ChatGPT

1. Open ChatGPT (chat.openai.com) and make sure you’re using GPT-4.
2. Click your name or email in the bottom-left corner.
3. Select “Custom Instructions.”
4. In the box that says “How would you like ChatGPT to respond?”, paste the full Behavior Contract you created using the CRISPY™ Prompt.
5. Optionally, in the box that asks “What would you like ChatGPT to know about you?”, you can add any personal or professional context you want ChatGPT to keep in mind (e.g., your role, industry, communication goals).
6. Click “Save.”

You Are Still the Expert

ChatGPT can make things easier, but it should never override your intent. If you're using AI to build trust, scale content, or engage clients, your voice matters more than ever.

OpenAI's guidelines are a great starting point. Your Behavior Contract makes it personal.

Questions?

Email me: brynne.tillman@socialsaleslink.com

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