Working with AI Is a Manager's Job
Give context, set the standard, review the output. When AI gives you a bad answer — check your brief first.
Working with AI is a manager's job: give context, set the standard, review the output. If the result is bad, check your brief first.
Clarity is the leadership style I value most. Giving people enough context, clear direction, and a visible standard is not extra work. It is the manager's job.
I believe the same logic applies to AI.
Many people treat AI like another search engine. They type a question, get an answer they don't love, and give up. Or they decide the output is "not accurate" and conclude AI does not work for them.
But have you checked your prompt first?
Imagine a capable team member who keeps underperforming under your management. Before blaming the person, a good manager asks: Did I give enough context? Did I explain what good looks like? Did I review the work and give feedback?
AI works the same way. A vague brief gets a vague result. That is not a tool problem. That is a management problem.
The good news: managing AI is a skill you can learn, and it looks a lot like managing people.
When AI gives you a bad answer, what do you do first: blame the tool, or check your brief?