Conversations with AI have become rocket fuel for my productivity—and for my personal growth.
(They’ve also made me the butt of the joke with my coworkers, but I’ll leave that for another post.)
How It Started: An Experiment
Late last year, I was feeling disengaged at work—good projects here and there, but a nagging sense of boredom.
After an introductory course online on generative AI and prompt creation, I turned to ChatGPT for career brainstorming. I gave it my past roles and my dream jobs. It fired back clarifying questions, then built a gap analysis and suggested courses to close those gaps.
A few days later, after some back and forth to refine what I was looking for during brainstorming sessions, I had a timeline and a growth framework that completely reignited my passion—not just for my work at MPCA, but for the work I want to be doing elsewhere in my network and life.
And here’s the kicker: every learning activity I’ve taken on since has been spot on for me—even the marathon 3-day, 8-hour Zoom weekends. (Yes, even those!)
Extending the Impact
I have now used GenAI with colleagues the same way: to spot gaps, design career pivots, and pick courses (thank you, Coursera) that actually matter to them personally.
Recently, I had the opportunity to work with friends who have been forced into career pivots due to federal funding cuts, and I conducted the same exercise with them.
I watched individual transformations—reignited excitement for learning, communication sharpened, data analysis elevated, brainstorming supercharged.
The Data Backs It Up
AI isn’t doing the work for us—it’s helping us do the work better.
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Financial Times reports AI isn’t erasing jobs—it’s redesigning them. Skilled, AI-savvy professionals are earning more and staying in demand. (“Disrupted or Displaced: How AI Is Shaking Up Jobs”)
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An edX survey shows 70%+ of managers are upskilling right now, most citing AI as the reason—often dedicating 4+ hours a week.
Coaching in the Age of AI
In coaching, studies confirm GenAI handles the legwork (research, admin, first drafts), while the human coach delivers the relational magic.
That’s us. That’s the future.
Another model—2ACT—shows AI + human cognitive skills build “skill bridges” that propel mid-career professionals into higher-value roles.
FOBO? Not Here.
My family jokes with my that I have FOMO… and it’s true. And I recently discovered the term FOBO (Fear of Becoming Obsolete)? Will this be me? No… not at the moment. We have to keep choosing to show up, learn, and lead.
As one speaker I heard recently nailed it:
“AI won’t replace you—but a human who knows how to use AI will.”
#AI #FutureOfWork #Upskilling #WomenInWork #Coaching #CareerGrowth #GenAI
Disclaimer: I know this topic is complex and often incites an emotional response. I believe that there are realized and unrealized evils that come with its existence. I know that I am not an AI expert and that my exceptionally limited experience has lent itself to a solid 6 months of reward without much of a price. So… while embracing those pieces of it that I think I am benefiting from, I will continue to stay open to the reality of AI’s complexity as best I can. But I won’t do it with my eyes closed.
