With layoffs and budget cuts sweeping through many companies, managers and business leaders are feeling the pressure to do more with less.
“In the absence of either time, financial resources, or human-based resources, we can utilize AI to act as a thinking partner, an executive coach, or a co-pilot,” said Stephanie LeBlanc-Godfrey, founder of MotherAI.
For her, tools like ChatGPT are like having “an extra brain.” This can be a game-changer for anyone—whether you’re leading a corporate team with fewer employees or running a small business on limited resources.
Jess Goldberg, an executive coach, former AI robotics VP, and current Columbia University instructor, encourages leaders to think strategically about using generative AI to complement their skills.
“These tools can accelerate our growth,” Goldberg explained. “They help us learn faster, develop our skills faster, and ultimately perform better.”
How to Get the Most Out of ChatGPT
To unlock the full benefits of generative AI, you need to get better at prompting it. ChatGPT isn’t just for checklists and rough drafts—it can take on more complex, thoughtful tasks if you guide it correctly.
Goldberg recommends three key elements for an effective prompt:
-
A clear goal – What are you trying to achieve?
-
A defined role – What type of expert do you want ChatGPT to act as? (Think: performance review coach, business strategist, or board advisor.)
-
Specific examples – What does a “good” answer look like? And what should it avoid?
Here are three example prompts Goldberg created for busy managers, leaders, and CEOs:
1. Actionable Performance Reviews
You are a performance review expert with experience in talent development. Write an objective, constructive, and actionable review that focuses on observable behaviors and measurable outcomes. Use the information I provide below:
-
Role Basics
-
Job title: [Insert info]
-
Department: [Insert info]
-
Time in role: [Insert info]
-
Key responsibilities: [Insert info]
-
-
Performance Specifics (2-3 examples for each)
-
Notable achievements: [Insert info]
-
Challenges faced: [Insert info]
-
Key metrics/KPIs: [Insert info]
-
-
Behavioral Observations
-
Strongest behaviors: [Insert info]
-
Areas for development: [Insert info]
-
-
Development Focus
-
Skills gained: [Insert info]
-
Priority growth areas: [Insert info]
-
Structure the review to include a clear performance summary, specific achievements, development areas with recommendations, and forward-looking goals. Keep the tone professional, constructive, and focused on growth.
Self-advocacy tip: Use this same prompt to assess your own performance. It can help you articulate wins and contributions in promotion or performance conversations.
2. The Titans’ Table
Act as my strategic advisory board, made up of:
-
Warren Buffett (financial wisdom)
-
Steve Jobs (innovation)
-
Angela Merkel (stakeholder management)
-
Sara Blakely (customer-focused strategy)
-
Mary Barra (organizational transformation)
My strategic decision or challenge is: [Insert your challenge]
Context:
-
Current situation: [Brief description]
-
Main objectives: [1–2 goals]
-
Available resources: [Key resources]
-
Time constraints: [Timeline]
Please provide:
-
Each advisor’s recommendation in their own voice
-
A quick SWOT analysis
-
Top risks and mitigation strategies
-
Key stakeholder impacts
-
Practical next steps
Self-advocacy tip: This prompt helps you think bigger, make strategic decisions, and identify exactly what resources or support you need.
3. The Delegation Playbook
You are an expert in strategic delegation. Review my project and help me figure out what to delegate and how to communicate it clearly.
Project Overview: [Insert brief description]
My Role & Expertise: [Insert position and key strengths]
Team Context: [Insert team roles, strengths, and bandwidth]
Critical Success Factors: [Insert success metrics and risks]
Help me:
-
Identify which decisions I should:
-
Make personally (critical)
-
Provide input on (collaborative)
-
Be informed about (awareness)
-
Delegate fully (autonomous)
-
-
Draft clear delegation instructions, including:
-
Expectations and outcomes
-
Decision-making boundaries
-
Timeline
-
Success metrics
-
Escalation process
-
Self-advocacy tip: Clear delegation frees up your mental bandwidth and empowers your team to lead in their own areas.
By combining the right prompts with a clear understanding of your goals, AI tools like ChatGPT can help you work smarter, focus on high-value tasks, and even strengthen your self-advocacy in the workplace.