Why your AI assistant should be your improv partner (not your servant)
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Hey there, innovation champions! Let me tell you about a surprising discovery I made about AI – one that completely transformed how I approach leadership and innovation. Unlike many of my colleagues who dove into AI tools the moment they appeared, I was hesitant. After all, I help companies unlock human creativity and innovation. Wouldn't AI just get in the way? But when I finally decided to explore AI, I noticed something fascinating. The most valuable insights didn't come when I treated AI as a servant (“Do this task for me”), but when I approached it as an improv partner. Here's what I mean... Several months ago, I was wrestling with a business decision that was keeping me up at night. After seven years of running two separate brands – my speaking work under my name and my consultancy under Creative Sandbox Solutions™ – I was stuck trying to figure out how to bring them together. Or if I even should. The advice I was getting from colleagues wasn't helping. I was spinning in circles. Then I tried something different. Instead of asking AI to solve my problem, I treated it like an improv partner. I wrote a twelve-paragraph “scene” describing my situation and simply asked, “What would you advise?” What happened next surprised me. The AI first acknowledged my emotions: “I can see why this situation is causing you confusion.” Just like a good improv partner, it was building on what I'd offered rather than dismissing it. Then it offered eight different perspectives I hadn't considered. Not commands, but possibilities to explore together. This experience taught me something profound about leading in the AI era, and it maps perfectly to my Create the Impossible™ framework: 1. Play HardWhen we treat AI as an improv partner rather than a servant, we open up new possibilities. Just like in improv, the magic happens when we approach the interaction with curiosity and openness. Think about it: Would you rather work with a teammate who just follows orders, or one who brings their own perspective to the conversation? 2. Make CrapHere's where it gets interesting. With AI as a partner, we can rapidly generate and iterate on ideas without fear. It's like having a brainstorming buddy who never gets tired and isn't afraid to suggest “crazy” ideas. The key is remembering that these are just first drafts – springboards for human creativity, not final answers. 3. Learn FastThis is where the human advantage really shines. While AI can process information quickly, humans excel at spotting unusual connections and sensing which directions feel most promising. When we combine AI's processing power with human intuition, we create a feedback loop that accelerates learning and innovation. But here's what fascinates me most: This approach actually makes human creativity MORE valuable, not less. Here's why: 1. Empathy Becomes EssentialAI can analyze data, but it takes human empathy to understand which solutions will resonate with real people. As leaders, our ability to connect emotionally becomes even more crucial. 2. Synthesis Skills ShineWhile AI can generate options, humans excel at synthesizing diverse inputs into coherent strategies. Our ability to sense what “feels right” becomes increasingly valuable. Yes, AI tools can synthesize too, and often faster than we can, BUT they lack the context that we humans bring to the table. Without human partnership, AI synthesis becomes robotic. 3. Creative Confidence CountsThe more we work with AI, the more important it becomes to trust our creative instincts. Knowing when to follow AI suggestions and when to chart a different course requires strong creative confidence. So here's your challenge for this week: Try treating your AI tools as improv partners rather than servants. Instead of giving commands, try: - Sharing context and asking for perspectives - Building on AI suggestions rather than just accepting or rejecting them - Using AI responses as prompts for your own creativity Remember: In the age of AI, human creativity isn't becoming obsolete – it's becoming more valuable than ever. The key is learning to play together effectively. Stay curious, stay playful, and keep creating the impossible! I'd love to hear from you. What's your most surprising or helpful interaction with AI so far? Hit reply and share your story of AI collaboration! Senior Leaders: Ready to help your team harness the power of human-AI collaboration? Let's explore how treating AI as a creative partner can transform your innovation potential. Book your complimentary Innovation Strategy Session here. 📝 Innovation Insight: The Power of Simple Beginnings 🌱 Sometimes the most powerful creations start with just a few simple lines. This improvisational doodle reminded me that breakthrough innovations don’t always require complex solutions. Like many leaders I work with, it’s easy to overcomplicate things. But often, the path to Creating the Impossible™ begins with just: 1️⃣ Making a mark 2️⃣ Following your curiosity 3️⃣ Letting the journey unfold What could emerge if you started with something simple today? Ready to unlock your team’s innovative potential? Book a complimentary Innovation Strategy Session and let’s explore how intentional constraints and playful exploration can drive breakthrough innovation in your organization. That's it for this week! Creatively yours, P.S. When you’re ready to build a culture of thriving innovation, so your team can Create the Impossible™, here are three ways I can help: 1) Download my FREE Innovation Culture Assessment to evaluate where your team stands 2) Download the first 50 pages of my book, The Creative Sandbox Way™, to reconnect with your creativity 3) Click here to schedule a complimentary Innovation Strategy Session Did someone forward this email to you? If you'd like more articles like this right in your own inbox, click here to subscribe! |