[robbedpeter]

Steelmanning is your own good faith attempt to understand the opposing argument so well that you can articulate it as coherently as your own position.

If you're simply repeating what the other person said, you're not using the concept to full effect.

If you're framing your own argument as a strawman instead of clarifying the opposing argument, you've missed the plot entirely (unless your opponent is arguing for the use of strawmen in debate?)

The utility of steelmanning is to minimize assumptions. Everyone has to demonstrate their comprehension. You can take it further and in order to 'pass' the steelman stage, you have to agree with your opponent's steelman argument, or have a dialog to refine it until you're satisfied that both of you understand your argument.