How to Brief AI So It Actually Helps You

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Ever asked ChatGPT a question, looked at its response and thought… “This isn’t what I wanted”?

In this episode of One Simple Thing…

Gerry Murray reveals why so many AI prompts fail - and what to do instead. Discover how to brief AI tools like ChatGPT as you would a colleague, so they become your assistant, not your replacement.

You’ll learn:

• The six essentials of a good AI brief
• Why vague prompts produce vague outputs
• How to turn AI into a productivity partner (not a frustration machine)

Curious?

🎧 Listen now and transform your AI results with this simple leadership tip.

This is part of the One Simple Thing mini-series on using AI to lead better while staying human.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to Leading People with me, gerry Marais,
this week.
It's One Simple Thing, where ineach episode, I share a quick,
actionable tip to help you bringout the best in yourself and
others the best in yourself andothers.
One simple thing is created foryoung leaders, but hey, us

(00:33):
older folks can still learn athing or two.
Ask my dog he's learned a fewnew tricks recently.
Here's a question for you haveyou ever tried using AI and
ended up thinking, well, thatwas a waste of time.
Or maybe you've heard someonesay I tried ChatGPT once.
It just made stuff up.
Well, you're not alone.
When I first mentioned I wasexploring how AI might help me,

(00:57):
especially with my leadershipwork, I was often met with blank
stares or even looks of horror.
People would launch intostories about how ChatGPT
hallucinates or gives inaccurateinformation.
But what I quickly realized isthat many of the people sharing
these stories had never actuallyused ChatGPT or any other form

(01:18):
of AI or didn't know what theywere doing when they did.
The more I worked with it, themore I understood.
It's not magic and it's notdangerous.
It's a tool and, just like anytool, it works best when you
learn how to use it properly.
That brings me to this week'sone simple thing thing.

(01:50):
Don't just ask AI to dosomething.
Brief it like you would acolleague, and that means
telling it who you are and, ifrelevant, your role, what you're
trying to achieve, why thismatters, who the message is for,
what tone or format you needand even where or how it's going
to be used.
You'd be amazed how many peoplejust say write an email to my

(02:13):
team and then wonder why theresult is bland, tone deaf or
just not quite right.
Why is this email so weird?
Because your request was vague.
That's why, instead, inbriefing chat, gpt say something
like I'm a team leader at aconsultancy.

(02:34):
I want to announce a change inhow we manage project timelines.
The goal is to get buy-in whileassuring the team that it's not
about micromanagement.
Keep it friendly butprofessional, and aim for under
150 words.
Now, that's a prompt that worksbecause it gives the AI context

(02:58):
clarity and a target.
You stay in control and AIbecomes your assistant, not your
replacement.
Remember, your results are onlyas good as your brief.
Treat AI like a smart butliteral colleague and you'll be

(03:18):
amazed at what you get back.
And that's another One SimpleThing.
And that's another one simplething your day.

(03:50):
Let me know how you get on,reach out on LinkedIn and
connect with me.
Mention the podcast and ifyou'd like to learn more one
simple things, then subscribe tothis podcast on your favorite
podcast channel and follow ourLinkedIn leading people page.
In our next episode of OneSimple Thing, we'll explore

(04:18):
another easy way to be a greatleader by bringing out the best
in yourself and those around youand in between.
You can check out one of mylonger conversations with
leading people above.
Yes, you've guessed it Leadingpeople.
So until then, keep exploringand stay curious, thank you.