I’ve significantly refined how I leverage Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance my executive communication skills. It’s moved far beyond simple prompting; the goal is genuine skill transfer, not just a quick fix.

The Refined Workflow:

1. Raw Draft First: I always write the initial communication myself. This ensures the voice, context, and core arguments are authentically mine.
2. Self-Correction & Polish: I refine the draft, aiming for maximum clarity and impact, before ever involving the AI.
3. The Critical Coaching Request: I then submit the polished draft to the LLM. The key instruction is: “Do not rewrite the post.” Instead, I ask for a detailed critique focusing on structural weaknesses, potential ambiguities, and my common “blind spots” as a writer.
4. Second Draft, Better Insights: Based on the AI’s coaching feedback, I write a stronger second draft. This iterative process is where the learning truly happens.

The Game-Changer: Pressure Testing

A fascinating addition to the workflow recently was using the LLM to pressure-test me for upcoming meetings. I had the AI act as a skeptical stakeholder, firing off tough, potential questions based on my written material. This exercise is invaluable, as it immediately exposes critical differences between my ability to write coherently and my ability to articulate and defend my points verbally.

LLMs are revolutionizing personal and professional executive coaching. It’s not just about better writing anymore; it’s about closing the gap between the written word and high-stakes verbal performance.