Mastering GenAI Communication: An Unexpected Edge to Better Human Interaction
In the race to leverage AI for business advantage, we may overlook a surprising side effect: mastering communication with AI sharpens your human interactions too. As Generative AI (or GenAI) agents like ChatGPT and Claude become integral parts of our workflow, we have an opportunity to hone communication skills that will significantly improve interactions with colleagues and customers as well as our new cyber buddies.
Unfamiliar with GenAI? Check out AI Terms Every Business Leader Should Know.
In the following article, we'll unpack communication principles for getting the most value out of AI agents while exploring the connection to human interaction. You'll gain actionable insights to immediately improve your results with AI agents while giving you an unexpected edge with humans.
The Bilingual Leader's Toolkit: Speaking AI and Human
1. Who's the D? Keeping Roles Crystal
With AI: Before making a request, define the AI's role clearly. For example, "Act as a financial analyst specializing in startup valuations" or "Take on the role of a marketing strategist for luxury brands."
In practice: Create a "role library" with detailed descriptions for different AI roles you frequently use (e.g., analyst, copywriter, strategist). A role library can be a simple document you regularly maintain and supply to your AI agent. Start your AI interactions by assigning one of these roles.
In Business: As business leaders, we know the importance of setting clear expectations, but we often overlook the value of revisiting roles in decision-making. One effective method for maintaining clarity is through the RAPID® framework (Recommend, Agree, Perform, Input, Decide), which assigns roles in the decision-making process.
In practice: In my experience, implementing RAPID and revisiting roles regularly is transformative. We weave RAPID into key decisions at the offset. For example, "For our Q3 marketing campaign, Sarah, you're the R and I, Tom is the A, the design team is P, and I'll be the D. Everyone clear on their roles?"
Over time, RAPID became so ingrained in our culture that team members would often ask, "Who's the D?" in meetings at the first signs of ambiguity around important decisions. This fostered a culture of clarity.
Why It Matters:
Clear role definition sets the stage for focused, productive interactions. With AI, it frames the type and level of expertise required. In business, clarity prevents misunderstandings and empowers team members. By periodically reestablishing role clarity, especially using frameworks like RAPID, we improve efficiency and accountability. Building a culture that prioritizes role clarity can transform how your team communicates and makes decisions.
2. Paint the Big Picture: The Art of Context-Setting
With AI: Frame your query with relevant background. For example, "Our company, GreenWave Agency, is a 10-year-old marketing firm that specializes in promoting eco-friendly brands. We primarily work with small to medium-sized businesses in the natural products, renewable energy, and eco-conscious consumer goods sectors. Our target audience includes millennials and Gen Z consumers, as well as B2B clients looking to enhance their sustainability profile. Our competitors …." You get the idea.
In practice: Develop a "company context" document that you can easily copy and paste into your AI prompts when needed. Update this document regularly to reflect changes in your business landscape.
In Business: Just as AI needs context for better results, human teams thrive when everyone understands the broader picture, aligning their efforts more effectively. Before diving into a project discussion, set the stage. Consider what information is crucial for understanding the task at hand. Ask yourself: What's the broader goal? What headwinds exist? What past efforts inform this project?
In practice: Start meetings with a brief "context setting" session. Outline relevant background information, goals, and any critical updates. A good rule of thumb is the "5W1H" approach: cover the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of the situation. Encourage questions and regularly check for understanding by inviting others to “playback” in their own words.
Why It Matters:
Context is the foundation for accurate and valuable exchanges, whether with AI or humans. It helps AI systems provide tailored responses and reduce irrelevant suggestions. In human interactions, it does the same while aligning team members with goals and considerations and reducing misunderstanding.
Effective business leaders understand that as they grow in role and impact, one of their most powerful assets is a wealth of context. They accept their responsibility to strategically distribute this contextual information, driving alignment and clarity without overwhelming their audience. This skill is what often separates good leaders from great ones, enabling more focused discussions, informed decisions, and better alignment with business objectives.
3. Tune the Interface: Feedback Loops and Styles
With AI: Just as with human colleagues, coaching AI on your preferred style will improve your working relationship. For example, you might say, "I prefer concise bullet points for summaries. Please structure your responses this way unless I specify otherwise."
In practice: Keep a log of effective prompts and instructions. Regularly reflect on what works best and update your AI interactions accordingly. Don't hesitate to give feedback like, "That response was too verbose. Can you summarize it in three key points?" or “Let’s focus on editing one section at a time.”
In Business: Understanding and adapting to different communication styles opens the door for effective teamwork. We often use assessments like MBTI and DiSC to help team members gain an appreciation of each other's preferences and work styles.
In practice: In the past, we took this a step further by introducing "user manuals" - fun, one-page documents where team members describe themselves as though they were a new software product. These manuals describe our preferences, values, and skills to others in fun terms like "features," "operating guidelines," and "malfunctions."
Why It Matters:
Understanding and adapting to different communication styles - whether with AI or humans - leads to more effective collaboration and better outcomes. With AI, it helps you get more relevant and useful responses. In human interactions, it builds stronger relationships, reduces misunderstandings, and improves team efficiency.
Moreover, the practice of articulating your own preferences and understanding others' makes you a self-aware and adaptable communicator. This skill is invaluable in today's diverse and often remote work environments. By treating both AI agents and human colleagues as unique interfaces to be understood and optimized, you create a more harmonious and productive work ecosystem.
4. Unleash the Genius: Create Space for Creativity and Joy
With AI: Don't be afraid to ask for something new and outlandish! Treat AI as a bottomless well of creativity waiting to be tapped. For example, "Give me one wild idea for a strategic retreat which no one has ever considered before. Budget and location are wide open." This approach often yields surprisingly innovative and thought-provoking responses.
In practice: Start your AI interactions with an open mind and a spirit of adventure. Use prompts like "Give me an idea I've never heard before about..." or "What's the most unconventional approach to...?" Remember to show appreciation for unique ideas: "That's fascinating! Can you elaborate on..."
In Business: Create structured opportunities for team members to feel safe sharing wild ideas. Start by genuinely believing in your colleague’s untapped creative potential. Invite brainstorming with a spirit of outlandishness to set a tone of creativity and possibility.
In practice: Implement "No-Limits Thinking" sessions where the usual constraints of budget, time, or technology are temporarily suspended. Encourage laughter and playfulness in these sessions – joy is a powerful catalyst for creativity.
Why It Matters:
Fostering creativity and joy in your interactions – whether with AI or humans – can lead to breakthrough ideas and stronger relationships. Just as people thrive when their creativity is encouraged and respected, AI systems often produce better results when addressed with enthusiasm and openness.
Interestingly, while formal research is still limited, observations from AI developers and users suggest that clear, respectful communication can lead to more helpful AI responses. This mirrors human interaction, where respectful communication often yields better outcomes.
This approach taps into the often-overlooked emotional aspect of communication. By exuding joy and respect in your interactions, you create an atmosphere that encourages innovation and collaboration. In the realm of AI, this translates to more diverse and imaginative outputs. In human interactions, it builds trust, enhances team cohesion, and makes the workplace more enjoyable and productive.
Moreover, by treating both AI and human collaborators as sources of genius, you open yourself up to perspectives and ideas you might never have considered. This mindset is invaluable in today's rapidly changing business landscape, where innovation and adaptability are key to success.
Groundbreaking ideas often start as "outlandish" thoughts. By creating space for such ideas to emerge, you're setting the stage for true innovation. Whether brainstorming with an AI or leading a team meeting, approach interactions as an opportunity to uncover something brilliant and unexpected.
The Takeaway
Mastering AI communication goes far beyond getting better results from AI agents. The principles we've discussed are foundational in any medium.
By focusing on these elements in your AI interactions, you're developing a mindset and skills that will enhance every aspect of your business communication.
Moreover, as AI continues to integrate into various business processes, your ability to communicate effectively with these systems will become a significant competitive advantage. It will allow you to extract more value from AI agents, make better-informed decisions, and lead your team more effectively in an AI-augmented business landscape.
Remember, the goal isn't to become an AI or human whisperer overnight. It's about embracing a communication style that drives clarity, reduces misunderstandings, and ultimately leads to better outcomes.
In a world where AI is increasingly part of our daily work lives, those who can effectively communicate with both machine and human intelligence will lead the way.
How we help
As technology strategists and translators, Liberated Leaders partners with chief decision-makers to discern and align their technology needs to what’s necessary and what might be overkill. We then help leaders settle on the strategic decisions that make tech useful.
About the Author
As a Success Architect at Liberated Leaders, Alan leverages 20 years of experience in technology leadership and consulting to help businesses optimize their technology strategies, gain an edge, and scale their operations. He is a twice certified executive and leadership coach who firmly believes that true business transformation can only occur with mindful investment in people and technology. Find out more about Alan on our About page.
Note: This blog was 85% human generated and 15% machine (AI) generated.
Citations:
RAPID framework: RAPID® Decision Making; Bain & Company
by Christopher M. Snider (Author), Scott Snider (Author)
