How to Turn AI Into a Teammate, Not Just a Tool

A few months ago, I was caught in an email. We were about to announce a delay in the release of a new Jotform product, and needed to explain the “why” in a way that felt honest, optimistic and clear. Not too corporate. Not too accidental. I rewrite the first five times. Nothing was landing.

For frustration rather than the strategy, I opened my assistant to AI and wrote: “Can you help me write an email from the entire company about a delay of a product that is transparent, reassuring and keeps the team motivated for what follows?”

What returned was surprisingly decent. You are not ready to publish, but good enough to move again. Then I tried something else. “Rewrite this as if it were a product manager who speaks with advanced users.” Then again. “Now condenses it in an email.” Suddenly, I was trapped already had options, tone changes and many ideas. I was working alone. I had a co -pilot.

AI has changed the way we work, but the truth is that we should not use it at its maximum potential. Here we show you how to change that.

Related: 7 ways in which AI can use for 10 times your leadership skills

Change your perception

Large language models (LLM) such as Chatgpt have been in the mainstream for some years, and even the greatest equity between us we have ventured into their offers.

According to Harvard Business Review, the most popular use of GPS is “personal and professional support”, which represents a significant change since last year, when the reigning category was “technical assistance and problem solving.” In 2024, users trusted AI for tasks such as generating ideas and looking for answers to specific questions. Now, its relationship with AI has evolved, with users who treat it less as a tool and more like a teammate.

This evolution is key. The more anthropomorphic we do not in a way of science fiction, but in a practical and collaborative sense, the more effective we can take advantage of it. At this point, I use AI to remove a series of tasks from my dish, giving roles based on what I need to do: if I want to gather statistics or summer items, I tell you to assume the role of a research assistant. If I want to check a wire structure copy, I ask you to act as an UX designer. If I am refining a launch or strategy document, I will request that you deepen as an investor or member of the Board, so that I can prove my thought before presenting it to the Royal Hearing.

The more intentional about how to “launch” your AI assistant, the more value it can offer, not only as an assistant, but as a genuine extension of your thinking.

Get your indications at the point

The AI ​​is not magical, it is receptive. The vague indications began the vague answers. But with a clear direction, including the tone, structure and style you want, it will unlock much more powerful results.

Let’s say you want to create a blog post to announce a new function or product. Instead of simply saying: “Write me a blog post”, do it specific. “You are the CEO of a technology company that has just launched [insert product and description]. Write a blog post of 300-500 words that accurately capture the characteristics of the products, include key details and explain to users how their daily workflows will improve. The tone must be confident and enthusiastic, and adhere to the voice of the company’s brand [examples below].

It has been useful for me to treat fast engineering such as managing a member of the Junior team. Instead of discarding the first draft, sacrifice feedback: “Do this less technical”, “add an example of the real world” or “make the first paragraph more attractive.” The more specific the application and the reviews, the better the result will be.

Related: Why do smart entrepreneurs let AI do heavy business?

Integrate it into your workflow

One of the greatest lost opportunities of casual IA dabblers is to use it sporadically instead of systematically. With just a little investment in advance, AI has the ability to rationalize almost all aspects of your daily workflow.

These days, even those without any coding knowledge can easily build personalized assistants designed to illuminate the load of repetitive tasks. From Claude’s “project” to Gemini’s “gem”, these platforms allow users to store data such as detailed instructions and tone guidelines to avoid having to write the same the same and again.

For example, I created a programming and email assistant that helps me classify my entrance tray and prepare meetings follow -ups. It is loaded with previous email templates, includes my favorite tone and can quickly write the answers with the context or send a summary with elements of action after a meeting. Because it is trained on how I usually communicate and prioritize, it feels less like a chatbot and more like having a highly responded personal assistant.

My advice? Start small. Choose a recurring task, something low, but it takes a long time and assigns its assistant to AI. Give it structure, try and sacrifice the comments as you advance. In a short time, these automated assistants will begin to feel as invisible members of the team behind the scene to keep it focused on what matters most.