The Room Went From Quiet To Magnetic
This past week, I led a session with a group of women supported by a nonprofit that helps them reenter the workforce. They came in with all the usual concerns:
“I’m not technical.”
“Isn’t AI replacing people?”
“I’m too old to learn this stuff.”
“What’s the point if I don’t understand it?”
I had planned to talk about LinkedIn Profiles — it was smy usual training, one I have done over ten years to a Women’s Non-Profit that was helping women reinvent their careers. Normally I am over-prepared. Slides, checklists, and a healthy dose of energy. But this time, I was unprepared and tired. I didn’t want to talk about LinkedIn Profiles because I didn’t believe in my heart that this was what would help these women actually find a job.
So I looked at the open Laptop in front of me and closed the LinkedIn Tab. And then, I opened up ChatGPT live and typed:
“What’s a good outline to help women improve their LinkedIn profiles?”
And the room lit up.
There was a shift. Arms uncrossed. They immediately leaned in, asked me to go deeper, and then they started suggesting new prompts to try. I saw smiles and happiness. I saw glimmers of hope and after 45 minutes of energy and ongoing questions: I saw a room of women doing something remarkable–they saw themselves reflected in the responses. They realized they didn’t have to become an expert — they just had to start asking better questions.
What Does It Mean to “Speak AI”?
Learning to speak AI isn’t about using perfect language or learning to code.
It’s about:
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Giving context
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Getting curious
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Engaging in back-and-forth feedback
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Being willing to refine and explore
Here’s what I showed them in real time:
Flat Prompt:
“Fix my LinkedIn profile.”
Upgraded Prompt:
“Here’s my current LinkedIn summary. I’m returning to the workforce after caregiving. I want to position myself for admin roles that value communication and organization. Can you help me rewrite this to sound confident and forward-looking?”
That moment — when AI responded with clarity, warmth, and precision — flipped a switch. These women realized they could guide the tool. It wasn’t making them obsolete. It was helping them rise.
This Is More Than Technology.
It’s a Language Shift.
If you’re unsure where to begin with AI, don’t start with tutorials or technical deep dives. Start with a conversation. Think of AI as a coach, a partner, a second brain.
In fact, the people who thrive in the future of work will be the ones who can speak AI — who can ask the right questions, give it the right context, and use it to amplify their human skills.
Try This Prompt Today:
“I’m exploring new job opportunities in [industry]. I want to update my LinkedIn summary to reflect my strengths in [skills]. Can you help me craft a compelling 3-line summary?”
That’s it. That’s how you start reskilling — not by going back to school, but by speaking up and asking better questions.
🎧 Want More?
This story is the heart of this podcast.
We can LEARN when we are CURIOUS and we LEAN-IN.
Let’s change how we talk about the future — and make sure everyone has a voice in it.
#AIatWork #Reskilling #CareerGrowth #ChatGPT #WomenInWorkforce #FutureOfWork #AIPodcast
