Did you get the memo? AI is everywhere right now!
As an executive communication coach, I love hearing about the creative ways people are using AI to improve their communication. One client who’s on the job market told me that she uploads job postings to AI to help her draft her cover letters, customize her CV, and identify interview questions. I also heard about a parent using AI to tackle tricky questions from their kids. Someone else who runs emails through AI to catch any subtle attitude from a challenging colleague. That one gave me a laugh!
When it comes to using AI at work, here are five simple yet effective ways it can help you level up your communication:
- EDITING – Spot-on spelling and grammar checks.
- THESAURUS – Finding the perfect synonym.
- BRAINSTORMING lists, document titles, and more.
- TONE – Refining your tone for maximum impact.
- SUMMARIZING or trimming down content without losing clarity.
As a coach, I’ve discovered three more AI hacks that are a bit less obvious but can dramatically amplify your communication game. Curious to know what they are?
1️⃣ Make your message stick with creative metaphors
Metaphors are a powerful yet often overlooked way to elevate your message. My friend Richard, a senior partner at a consulting firm, nails it with this tennis ball machine metaphor he shares with new clients that need to staff up for the consulting engagement: His team is the machine, lobbing questions to clients. If there aren’t enough people to hit them back, the balls pile up, and progress stalls.
Got a go-to metaphor for what you do? If not, ask AI to brainstorm a few. One great metaphor can transform your message and become the backbone of your narrative.
I asked AI to provide me with a metaphor for executives going on interviews without defining their personal brand, and owning their superpower. Here’s what it gave me:
“It’s like handing out a blank business card—you’re showing up, but there’s nothing for people to remember you by.”
Not bad! I’ll keep that card up my sleeve!
2️⃣ Take your visuals to the next level
If you’re like me, you probably think of AI as a word generator: lists, drafts, summaries. Don’t forget that AI can also elevate your visuals!
Here are a few examples to get you started:
- Upload a document and ask AI for visual ideas.
- Outline a presentation and let AI draft the slides.
- Have AI create charts or graphs to illustrate key points.
- Ask AI to generate specific graphics or photos to drive your message home.
I’ve even asked AI to create cover art for podcast episodes (like this one)!
3️⃣ Receive tough feedback, before it’s too late
Before you hit send or take the stage, ask yourself: would you rather hear critiques from your audience/boss/a customer, or from AI?
Ask AI to play the role of a skeptical stakeholder: a competitor, a tough board member, or a picky editor. Here are some prompts to get you started:
- “What questions might my audience have after reading this?”
- “What parts of this message might be confusing or off-putting?”
- “Why might my customer/boss/editor reject this proposal?”
You get the idea. Let AI be your devil’s advocate. You’ll catch blind spots, anticipate objections, and tighten up your delivery before the real feedback hits.
Tough feedback? Bring it on, AI!
If you only remember one thing…
When it comes to improving your credibility (and most things in life!), it’s your growth mindset that will set you apart.
What exactly does this mean?
- Believing that your efforts will result in change and improvement (as opposed to a fixed mindset, where your skills are set in stone).
- Being internally self-aware. Being curious about your thoughts, feelings and physicality.
- Being externally self-aware. What impact am I having on others?
I wrote about this at the beginning of the year, for Inc.. I talked about using the first 90 days of 2025 to boost your credibility by focusing on yourself, but it’s never too late to adopt a growth mindset.
By the way, I’m certain you possess a growth mindset already, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this newsletter!
My 4-step framework for prompting AI
I recently learned an AI prompting tip from Jonathan Mast that’s drastically improved my productivity. It replaces all those general AI prompts we see everywhere.
It’s a 4-step framework that provides you a way more personalized and specific answer to your questions.
No scripts. No fluff. Just better answers.
Visit YouTube to learn the framework, and follow my channel for more quick and impactful communication tips.
Whether you’re crafting a metaphor, creating visuals, or pressure-testing your message, AI can be a powerful ally, as long as you stay true to your own voice. Don’t be afraid to use it—just maybe ease up on the em dashes and 🚀’s!
Remember, AI is a tool. The real impact comes from how you use it to elevate your voice and ideas.
Talk soon,
Dr. Andrea Wojnicki
executive communication coach