One of the most important pieces of advice that I give to people I mentor:
Your boss is overwhelmed. Do not go to your boss with just a problem. You are going to add more pain to your boss.
Instead, bring 3 potential solutions to your boss and let them “EDIT NOT AUTHOR.” It turns out, that is much easier for people to solve problems by editing ideas vs staring at a blank page.
– me
To that end. Enter chatGPT. Is it perfect? No. But it isn’t supposed to be. It will allow you to start with something you can edit instead of author. So I asked it to write a blog post about this topic. I will walk you through the process I used.
The Prompts & Responses
The Prompt help for my text:
Act as: Editor
Degree of revision: Substantial Revision to Full Blog Post with Heading, Sub-headings, Paragraphs, & Bullets as needed
Type of edit: Enhance clarity and consistency
Change tone to: Educational
Change reader comprehension level to: 8th grade
Change length to: 2000 Words
My Text:
I have always told the people I mentored that, "bringing a problem to your boss is not helpful. Think through the problem and provide 3 options and make a recommendation." This enables the person in charge to be able to "EDIT NOT AUTHOR." This is an effective means of managing up. It is much easier and more productive to "edit not author" and generative AI enables you to edit not author for your own work for the first time.The response:
Title: The Art of "Editing, Not Authoring" - A Guide to Effective Problem Solving and Communication
Introduction:
Effective problem-solving skills and clear communication are crucial in the workplace, especially when working with supervisors and team members. A common piece of advice for people seeking to excel in their careers is to "bring solutions, not problems" to their superiors. This principle can be summarized as "editing, not authoring." The advent of generative AI technology has made it even easier to apply this concept to our work. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of adopting an "editing, not authoring" mindset and how generative AI can help you develop this essential skill.
I. Understanding the "Editing, Not Authoring" Concept
A. The Importance of Proactive Problem Solving
1. Demonstrates initiative and critical thinking skills
2. Saves time and resources by addressing issues promptly
3. Enhances your reputation as a reliable and competent team member
B. Bringing Solutions to Your Supervisor
1. Think through the problem and develop multiple options
2. Make a recommendation based on your analysis
3. Allows your supervisor to focus on fine-tuning the solution rather than creating it from scratch
II. Developing Your "Editing, Not Authoring" Skillset
A. Cultivate Critical Thinking
1. Practice active listening and questioning
2. Evaluate arguments and evidence objectively
3. Seek diverse perspectives and opinions
B. Improve Problem Solving
1. Identify the root cause of the problem
2. Generate multiple potential solutions
3. Weigh the pros and cons of each option
4. Select the most viable solution based on available resources and constraints
C. Enhance Communication Skills
1. Clearly articulate the problem and your proposed solutions
2. Use concise, straightforward language
3. Practice active listening and empathy when discussing issues with colleagues
III. Leveraging Generative AI to "Edit, Not Author"
A. What is Generative AI?
1. Artificial intelligence that generates human-like text, images, or sounds
2. Mimics human creativity and intelligence through machine learning algorithms
3. Examples include GPT-4 and DALL-E
B. Using Generative AI in Problem Solving
1. Generate a wide range of potential solutions quickly and efficiently
2. Analyze and refine AI-generated ideas
3. Present AI-assisted solutions to your supervisor for further editing
C. Advantages of AI-Assisted Problem Solving
1. Saves time and effort in brainstorming solutions
2. Encourages creativity and innovation
3. Facilitates collaboration by providing a starting point for discussions
IV. Putting It All Together: A Case Study
A. The Problem
1. A marketing team needs to develop a new campaign for an upcoming product launch
2. The team is struggling with a lack of creative ideas and time constraints
B. Applying the "Editing, Not Authoring" Approach
1. The team member uses a generative AI tool to generate multiple campaign ideas
2. They analyze and refine the AI-generated ideas to create three viable options
3. The team member presents the options to their supervisor with a recommendation based on their analysis
C. The Outcome
1. The supervisor focuses on fine-tuning the recommended solution
2. The team successfully launches the marketing campaign on time
3. The team member demonstrates their problem-solving and communication skills, earning recognition and trust from their supervisor
Conclusion:
Adopting an "editing, not authoring" mindset is a valuable skill that can enhance your problem-solving abilities and improve communication with your supervisors and colleagues. By proactively identifying problems, generating solutions, and presenting well-reasoned recommendations, you can demonstrate your competence and dedication to your team.The prompt:
Now author the paragraphs for section I.The response:
I. Understanding the "Editing, Not Authoring" Concept
A. The Importance of Proactive Problem Solving
Being proactive in problem-solving is essential for success in the workplace. Demonstrating initiative and critical thinking skills is crucial for personal growth and building trust with your colleagues and supervisors. When you actively address issues, you save valuable time and resources for your team, which contributes to overall efficiency and productivity. Moreover, by showcasing your ability to tackle problems head-on, you enhance your reputation as a reliable and competent team member, increasing your chances of advancing within the organization.
B. Bringing Solutions to Your Supervisor
Instead of merely identifying problems, strive to present well-thought-out solutions to your superiors. Begin by thoroughly analyzing the issue at hand and generating multiple options to address it. Make a recommendation based on your analysis, taking into consideration factors such as feasibility, potential impact, and available resources. By providing your supervisor with actionable solutions, you enable them to focus on fine-tuning and implementing the best course of action rather than being burdened with the task of creating a solution from scratch. This approach not only streamlines the decision-making process but also demonstrates your value as an indispensable team member.The prompt:
Now author the paragraphs for section II.The response:
II. Developing Your "Editing, Not Authoring" Skillset
A. Cultivate Critical Thinking
To excel in the "editing, not authoring" approach, you must first cultivate your critical thinking abilities. Start by practicing active listening and asking pertinent questions when engaging in discussions. This will help you better understand the context and nuances of the issue at hand. Evaluate arguments and evidence objectively, avoiding biases or assumptions that may cloud your judgment. Finally, seek diverse perspectives and opinions to broaden your understanding and ensure a well-rounded analysis.
B. Improve Problem Solving
Enhancing your problem-solving skills is key to adopting the "editing, not authoring" mindset. Begin by identifying the root cause of the problem, as this will enable you to address the issue effectively. Next, generate multiple potential solutions that tackle the core issue. Weigh the pros and cons of each option, considering factors such as feasibility, impact, and resource allocation. Select the most viable solution based on the available resources and constraints. This systematic approach will help you develop well-reasoned recommendations to present to your supervisor.
C. Enhance Communication Skills
Clear and effective communication is vital when adopting the "editing, not authoring" approach. Learn to articulate the problem and your proposed solutions in a concise and straightforward manner. This will make it easier for your supervisor and colleagues to grasp the issue and understand your recommendations. Additionally, practice active listening and empathy when discussing issues with your team members. This will not only foster a supportive work environment but also encourage open and honest communication, which is essential for effective problem-solving.The prompt:
Now author the paragraphs for section III.The response:
III. Leveraging Generative AI to "Edit, Not Author"
A. What is Generative AI?
Generative AI refers to a type of artificial intelligence that creates human-like text, images, or sounds. These AI systems mimic human creativity and intelligence by using machine learning algorithms to generate content based on patterns and examples they have been exposed to. Examples of generative AI technologies include the GPT-4 language model, which can generate coherent and contextually relevant text, and DALL-E, an AI that creates images from textual descriptions.
B. Using Generative AI in Problem Solving
Generative AI can be a powerful tool in problem-solving, particularly when it comes to generating a wide range of potential solutions quickly and efficiently. By inputting the relevant information about the problem, you can use a generative AI tool to generate several ideas or approaches to address the issue. From there, you can analyze and refine the AI-generated ideas, combining or modifying them as needed to create well-thought-out solutions. By presenting these AI-assisted solutions to your supervisor, you enable them to focus on editing and fine-tuning the options, rather than creating them from scratch.
C. Advantages of AI-Assisted Problem Solving
There are several benefits to using AI-assisted problem-solving techniques. First, it saves time and effort by streamlining the brainstorming process, allowing you to generate numerous ideas within a short time frame. This can be particularly valuable when working under tight deadlines or dealing with complex problems. Second, it encourages creativity and innovation by presenting a diverse array of potential solutions that may not have been considered otherwise. Lastly, AI-assisted problem-solving facilitates collaboration within your team by providing a starting point for discussions, which can lead to further refinement and improvement of the proposed solutions.The prompt:
Now author the paragraphs for section IV.The response:
IV. Putting It All Together: A Case Study
A. The Problem
Consider a marketing team tasked with developing a new campaign for an upcoming product launch. The team faces challenges, such as a lack of creative ideas and tight time constraints, making it difficult to devise an effective marketing strategy. In this situation, the "editing, not authoring" approach can be instrumental in overcoming these obstacles and delivering a successful campaign.
B. Applying the "Editing, Not Authoring" Approach
To tackle the problem, a team member decides to use a generative AI tool to generate multiple campaign ideas. They input relevant information about the product and the target audience, and the AI generates several creative concepts for the campaign. The team member then analyzes and refines the AI-generated ideas, selecting three viable options that align with the company's objectives and resources. They present these options to their supervisor, along with a recommendation based on their analysis of the pros and cons of each idea.
C. The Outcome
The supervisor reviews the proposed options and focuses on fine-tuning the recommended solution, incorporating their insights and expertise to create the final campaign strategy. As a result, the team successfully launches the marketing campaign within the given time frame, effectively promoting the new product. The team member's use of the "editing, not authoring" approach, coupled with the assistance of generative AI, demonstrates their problem-solving and communication skills. This earns them recognition and trust from their supervisor, paving the way for future opportunities and growth within the organization.Would I use this without editing?
No. But that isn’t the point. It started with an outline, it expanded it. It gave me a starting point that I could use. I think the most important part of this is to understand that you can tell chatGPT exactly what it should be/do.
A template for success
I have gotten used to adding as many variables as I need to help me think through what I really want. Here is an example using the same style prompt as before, but adding in addition variables:
The Prompt help for my Text/Idea:
Act as: legalGPT hired by "Company"
Company: Redacted Company
Offender: Redacted Offender
Offender Website: Redacted Site
Offense: Illegally provided access to our source code
Degree of revision: determine the need yourself
Type of edit: Enhance clarity and consistency
Change style to: Legal
Change tone to: Agressive or Hostile
Change reader comprehension level to: 12th grade
Change length to: 500-2000 Words
My Text/Idea:
Offender has committed offense on Offender Website. Please write a Cease & Desist for our Company.The response:
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Redacted Company]
[Company Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Date]
[Offender Name]
[Offender Address, if available]
[City, State, Zip]
Re: Unauthorized Access and Distribution of [Redacted Company]'s Source Code on [Redacted Site]
Dear [Offender Name],
It has come to our attention that you, [Offender Name], and your website, [Redacted Site], have illegally obtained and are currently providing unauthorized access to the proprietary source code belonging to [Redacted Company]. This blatant violation of our intellectual property rights and misuse of our confidential information will not be tolerated. We demand that you immediately cease and desist from any further unauthorized access, distribution, and use of our source code.
As you are well aware, the source code is the exclusive property of [Redacted Company] and is protected under United States copyright law, trade secret law, and other applicable laws. By unlawfully accessing and disseminating our source code, you have not only violated our rights but have also exposed yourself to significant legal liability.
The unauthorized access and distribution of our source code have caused, and continue to cause, substantial harm to [Redacted Company]. The source code represents countless hours of work and investment by our team and serves as the foundation for our innovative products and services. Your actions have not only undermined the value of our intellectual property but have also threatened the security, integrity, and competitiveness of our offerings in the marketplace.
In light of the foregoing, we demand that you immediately undertake the following actions:
1. Remove all instances of [Redacted Company]'s source code from [Redacted Site] and any other websites, platforms, or repositories under your control;
2. Permanently delete any and all copies of our source code in your possession, custody, or control, including any backups, archives, or other storage media;
3. Provide a written assurance that you will refrain from any future unauthorized access, use, or distribution of [Redacted Company]'s proprietary information and intellectual property;
4. Disclose the full extent of the unauthorized access, including any individuals or entities with whom you have shared our source code, as well as the specific methods used to gain access;
5. Compensate [Redacted Company] for any damages, losses, or expenses incurred as a result of your unauthorized actions, including but not limited to legal fees and costs associated with investigating and remedying the breach.
Failure to comply with these demands within ten (10) days of receipt of this letter will leave us with no choice but to pursue all available legal remedies against you, including seeking injunctive relief, monetary damages, and attorney's fees. We reserve the right to initiate legal proceedings without further notice if you fail to take the required action within the specified time frame.
Please be advised that this letter does not constitute an exhaustive statement of our rights and remedies in this matter, nor is it a waiver of any claims, defenses, or objections that we may have. All rights, remedies, claims, defenses, and objections are expressly reserved.
We expect your prompt attention to this matter. Kindly confirm in writing your compliance with the above demands and your commitment to refrain from any further unauthorized actions involving [Redacted Company]'s intellectual property.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Redacted Company]ChatGPT empowers you to “Edit Not Author”
There is no excuse to stare at a blank sheet of paper anymore.