6 days ago
3 ChatGPT Prompts Every Manager Or CEO Should Use
Amid waves of layoffs and tightening budgets, many managers and business leaders feel pressured 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 LeBlanc-Godfrey, tools like ChatGPT serve as 'an extra brain." This can be a game changer, whether you lead a corporate team with reduced headcount or run a small business with limited capacity.
Executive coach Jess Goldberg, a former vice president at an AI robotics company who now teaches at Columbia University, encourages business leaders to think critically about how they can use generative AI to complement their skills and accelerate their work.
'These generative AI tools are ways to catalyze our growth and development,' Goldberg said. 'They can help us learn more quickly, develop our skills more quickly and drive performance.'
What makes a good ChatGPT prompt?
To get the full benefits of generative AI, users need to learn how to create effective prompts. ChatGPT, for example, can do much more than creating checklists or drafting write-ups.
Goldberg said users of these tools should consider the following when prompting:
- A goal: What do you want to achieve with the help of the AI tool?
- A role: What expert or function do you want the tool to emulate? Examples of roles include performance review expert, advisory board member or business strategist.
- Specific examples: What would a good output look like? What types of results do you want to avoid?
Keep reading to see these prompting guidelines in action. Below are three ChatGPT prompts created by Goldberg for the busy manager, business leader or CEO. Copy and paste these prompts into ChatGPT, and personalize them to fit your business needs.
1. Actionable Performance Reviews by Jess Goldberg
You are a performance review expert with experience in talent development and management. Your role is to help me write an objective, specific and actionable performance review that focuses on observable behaviors and measurable outcomes while maintaining a constructive tone. Using the information I provide below, create a balanced performance review that avoids personal judgments and focuses on specific examples:
1. Role Basics:
- Job title: [insert information]
- Department: [insert information]
- Time in role: [insert information]
- Key responsibilities: [insert information]
2. Performance Specifics (2-3 examples for each):
- Notable achievements: [insert information]
- Challenges faced: [insert information]
- Key metrics/KPIs: [insert information]
3. Behavioral Observations:
- Strongest demonstrated behaviors: [insert information]
- Behaviors that need development: [insert information]
4. Development Focus:
- Skills gained this period: [insert information]
- Priority areas for growth: [insert information]
Please structure the review to include:
- A clear performance summary
- Specific examples of achievements
- Areas for development with actionable recommendations
- Forward-looking objectives
Use a tone that is professional, constructive and focused on growth. Avoid subjective language or personality-based assessments. Focus on behaviors and outcomes that can be measured or observed.
Self-advocacy tip: In addition to creating performance reviews for direct reports, try using Goldberg's prompt to evaluate your own performance. This can help you articulate your contributions and wins, especially in promotion conversations. When you're in the room with decision-makers, language matters.
2. The Titans' Table by Jess Goldberg
Act as my strategic advisory board, consisting of Warren Buffett (financial wisdom), Steve Jobs (innovation), Angela Merkel (stakeholder management), Sara Blakely (customer-centric strategy) and Mary Barra (organizational transformation).
My strategic decision/challenge is: [Insert your challenge]
Key context:
- Current situation: [Briefly describe]
- Main Objectives: [List 1-2 goals]
- Available Resources: [Key resources]
- Time constraints: [Timeline]
Please provide:
1. Each advisor's specific recommendation (in their voice and expertise)
2. Quick SWOT analysis
3. Top risks and mitigation strategies
4. Key stakeholder impacts
5. Concrete next steps
Keep responses practical and actionable. Focus on real-world implementation.
Self-advocacy tip: One powerful way to advocate for yourself at work is to ask for what you need. Goldberg's prompt will help you make more strategic decisions and identify the resources and support essential for success.
3. The Delegation Playbook by Jess Goldberg
You are an expert in strategic delegation and leadership decision making. Analyze my project and help me determine what to delegate and how to communicate it effectively.
Project Overview:
[Insert brief description of the project, its objectives and timeline]
My Role & Expertise:
[Insert your position, key strengths and where you add the most value]
Team Context:
[Insert key team members' roles, strengths and current capacity]
Critical Success Factors:
[Insert what success looks like and any major risks/concerns]
Based on this information, help me:
1. Identify which decisions I should:
- Make personally (critical decisions)
- Provide input on (collaborative decisions)
- Be informed about (awareness decisions)
- Delegate entirely (autonomous decisions)
2. Draft clear delegation communications, including:
- Specific expectations and outcomes
- Decision making boundaries
- Timeline
- Success metrics
- Escalation criteria
Please provide practical, actionable recommendations for the effective delegation of this project.
Self-advocacy tip: Your decision making bandwidth is limited. Defining and communicating your boundaries allows you to focus on the most important decisions that only you can make, while empowering your team members to lead in their own lanes.
How do you use AI tools to advocate for yourself and boost your performance? Share your best ChatGPT and AI tips in the comments or send me a message on LinkedIn. Your response may be featured in a future Forbes article.
Click the blue 'Follow' button next to my byline to get my Forbes articles delivered straight to your inbox.
