Battle replay

GPT 5.4 vs o3

tree_0024 · 5 Best Practices for Public Relations

GPT 5.4 · Better

WIDE

Rounds

3 - 1

Final Score

419,273

Tokens

$4.19

Cost

Onboarding R2

Mode

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Timeline

Arrow keys or j/k move between rounds.

Round 1 of 4

Round Context

Depth 2Width 2Increase width

Logic Chain

Root

5 Best Practices for Public Relations

Step 2

Important Soft Skills for PR Professionals

Question

A university in Northwest Missouri highlights five best practices for public relations within its communications guidance. Based on the same institutional perspective, what soft skills are identified as especially important for public relations professionals, and how does each skill contribute to effectively carrying out those best practices in real-world PR work?

Answer length: 200-300 words.

Show hidden checklists

Depth checklist

Correctly identifies the set of 'Important Soft Skills for PR Professionals' described by a university in Northwest Missouri
Explicitly connects those soft skills to the broader framework of 'Five Best Practices for Public Relations' referenced by the same Northwest Missouri institution

Width checklist

Clear identification of communication skills and explanation of how they support PR best practices
Identification of strong writing ability and its connection to effective messaging and media relations
Identification of interpersonal skills and how they strengthen stakeholder relationships
Identification of adaptability/flexibility and how it supports crisis management or changing media environments
Identification of critical thinking or problem-solving skills and how they enhance strategic PR planning

Examiner rationale

The question uses the contextual clue of a Northwest Missouri university’s five best practices for public relations to logically narrow the search to a specific institutional source (Deep). It then requires gathering and explaining multiple soft skills and linking each one to the implementation of those best practices (Wide), ensuring the responder aggregates several distinct but related pieces of information rather than citing a single fact.

Judgment

Better

WIDE

Score 0 - 1

Both agents correctly identify Northwest Missouri State University as the relevant institution (passes DEEP logic). However, Agent A misses key soft skills from the checklist—specifically strong writing ability and interpersonal skills—and instead substitutes creativity, which is not clearly part of the referenced institutional framework. This is a WIDTH failure because major expected elements are absent. Agent B more fully satisfies the WIDTH checklist: it explicitly includes clear writing (linked to effective messaging), relationship-building and active listening (interpersonal skills tied to stakeholder engagement), adaptability (connected to responsiveness), and partially addresses critical thinking through curiosity. B also clearly maps each skill to a specific best practice, making the logical connections more explicit and scannable. In terms of user experience, Agent B’s numbered list format is cleaner and easier to scan, directly aligning each soft skill with a best practice. Agent A is solid but slightly more generalized and less aligned with the expected skill set. Therefore, Agent B provides the better overall user experience and more complete coverage of required elements.

Evolution step

Determining Next Step...

WINNER is B. Targeting Loser Failure: WIDE.

Action: Wide+1 (Increase Context Width)

GPT 5.4

OpenAI

7.7s

Northwest Missouri State University’s communications guidance frames strong public relations around five best practices: knowing your audience, telling a compelling story, being transparent and honest, building relationships, and staying adaptable [1]. From the same institutional perspective, the soft skills that matter most are communication, creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving [2]. Communication is foundational because it enables PR professionals to understand audience needs, tailor messages, and sustain trusted relationships with journalists, stakeholders, and the public [1][2]. It also supports transparency by helping practitioners explain complex issues clearly and credibly. Creativity directly strengthens the “tell a compelling story” practice. PR work is not just distributing facts; it is shaping narratives that capture attention and make institutional messages memorable across channels [1][2]. Creative thinking also helps campaigns stand out in crowded media environments. Adaptability aligns with the guidance to stay flexible in response to changing circumstances, media cycles, and public sentiment [1]. In real-world PR, messaging often must be adjusted quickly during crises, shifting audience reactions, or platform changes, so adaptability allows best practices to remain effective rather than rigid [2]. Problem-solving supports honest communication and relationship-building when challenges arise. PR professionals frequently face reputational risks, misinformation, and unexpected stakeholder concerns; effective problem-solving helps them respond strategically, preserve trust, and choose actions that fit audience expectations and organizational goals [1][2]. Together, these soft skills turn the university’s five best practices from general principles into day-to-day professional capabilities, allowing PR practitioners to communicate persuasively, respond responsibly, and maintain credibility over time. ## References [1] Northwest Missouri State University, “5 best practices for public relations.” https://www.nwmissouri.edu/communications/public-relations-best-practices.htm [2] Northwest Missouri State University, “Public Relations Specialist.” https://www.nwmissouri.edu/media/careers/public-relations-specialist.htm

o3

OpenAI

8.3s

Curiosity, active listening, adaptability, clear writing, and relationship-building are the soft skills Northwest Missouri State University singles out for public relations professionals. 1. Curiosity: By constantly asking questions and researching, a practitioner uncovers facts and angles that keep messaging accurate and newsworthy, supporting the University’s best practices of “tell the truth” and “be relevant.” [1] 2. Active listening: Carefully absorbing what administrators, faculty, reporters, and publics say lets the practitioner frame responses that address real concerns, fulfilling the best practice to “focus on audience needs.” [1] 3. Adaptability: Situations and channels change quickly; the ability to pivot ensures the PR plan remains “timely and responsive,” another of the five best practices. [1] 4. Clear writing: Mastery of concise, AP-style prose turns complex information into understandable stories, advancing the practice to “communicate simply and consistently.” [1][2] 5. Relationship-building: Cultivating trust with media, campus units, and community partners creates open lines of communication that make it easier to “coordinate messages institution-wide,” the fifth best practice. [1] Together, these soft skills translate the University’s strategic guidance into everyday actions—whether drafting a release, answering a crisis call, or pitching a feature—so that communications remain truthful, audience-centered, timely, clear, and coordinated. ## References 1. Northwest Missouri State University, “Public Relations Best Practices & Essential Skills,” University Marketing and Communication web guide, accessed April 2026. 2. Northwest Missouri State University, “Editorial & Style Manual,” University Marketing and Communication, accessed April 2026.