STORY THREADS
Part observation, part reflection, all storytelling. This blog space is where I pull at the threads of life and work to explore how we communicate, lead, and show up for one another.
AI as My Creative Partner: A Power User’s Approach to Writing, Brainstorming, and Storytelling
AI has been a time-saving addition to my workflow. For me, it’s not about replacing creativity or strategy; it’s about enhancing them. I use AI as a trusted editor, brainstorming partner, and creative assistant to help me work smarter, not harder.
Editing for Clarity and Concision
I always start by generating my own original copy. Once I have a draft, AI helps me fill in the gaps, tighten the language, improve word choice, and ensure the message is crystal clear. Because I care deeply about typography and layout, I sometimes ask AI to remove a few words so a block of text fits perfectly and looks visually appealing. This allows me to maintain both precision and readability without compromising the flow of the message.
Brainstorming Ideas
AI is an incredible tool for rapid idea generation. When I was exploring names for my consulting firm, I input prompts for clarity, communications, vision, strategy, and asked for inspiration drawn from French language roots. AI produced 150 creative options. Admittedly, a lot of them weren’t usable and over half were complete misses. Of the remaining options, many of the domain names were already taken, which narrowed the field even further. In the end, I was left with a shortlist of three strong names that resonated. AI didn’t make the decision for me, but it expanded the creative field in ways I couldn’t have achieved on my own in an hour of iterating.
Acting as a Sanity Check
Writer’s blindness is real and even the most careful writers can miss errors in their own work. Traditionally, I would ask a trusted colleague to proofread, but AI can catch mistakes in seconds, saving time and maintaining accuracy without pulling a busy teammate away from their own deadlines. This is especially valuable for high-stakes communications, like executive messages or company-wide announcements reaching tens of thousands of people. AI serves as an immediate sanity check, giving me confidence that my work is precise and polished.
Enhancing Visuals and Multimedia
AI isn’t just for words. I also use it for photography touch-ups, which is often faster than opening Photoshop, and for creating short, engaging videos that amplify a message or serve as a memorable reminder. Sometimes, I even make cringe-worthy short videos of our cats, much to the amusement (and occasional eye-rolls) of our children. These tools help me bring ideas to life visually, quickly and efficiently, while keeping creative control firmly in my hands.
ChatGPT and Gemini: My Go-To Tools
I consider myself a power user of both ChatGPT and Gemini, and I rely on each for different strengths. ChatGPT is my go-to for editing, concision, tone, and structured brainstorming. Gemini excels at rapid idea generation, creative expansion, visual touch-ups, and video creation. Knowing the strengths of each tool allows me to select the right one for the task at hand, whether I’m working with words, images, or video.
AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement
There’s often fear that AI will replace jobs — and that fear is real. It’s true that AI can automate many tasks, which is a concern for job seekers in today’s challenging market. At the same time, AI cannot replicate the human judgment, intuition, or strategic thinking I’ve developed over a lifetime. It can’t read the room in a meeting, interpret facial expressions, or gauge the right moment to communicate. It doesn’t know that my VP prefers bullet points, or how to sense audience sentiment and adjust messaging on the fly. For me, AI enhances creativity, precision, and efficiency, freeing up time to focus on higher-value work like connecting with people, shaping strategy, and crafting messages that truly matter. AI is a powerful tool, but it works best when paired with humans who bring context, empathy, and insight. These are qualities no machine can replace just yet.
AI doesn’t replace me, but it truly can amplify my abilities. It helps me brainstorm, edit, and polish work while keeping the originality, intent, and strategic thinking firmly in my control. Using AI thoughtfully allows me to work faster, smarter, and more creatively without losing the human touch that makes the communications work I do so meaningful.
What Communication Pros can Learn from the Peloton
Every summer, I get pulled into the drama, discipline, and beauty of the Tour de France. And every year, it reminds me of something that’s core to my work: great strategy is never a solo ride.
The Tour is basically a fast-paced, moving 3-D chess game on wheels. Every team shows up with a goal, whether it’s winning a stage, chasing the yellow jersey, or helping a young rider shine. But no matter the objective, one thing is always true: the entire team has to be aligned around the vision. Riders work in tandem, sacrificing individual glory to move their leader forward. Breakaways are planned. Wind is shielded. Pacing is precise.
It’s a masterclass in collaboration.
The same is true in when building a communication strategy. Whether you're rolling out a new vision, strengthening internal culture, or launching a campaign, success depends on more than just a good message. It also depends on alignment. Everyone needs to understand the “why” behind the work and see how their role contributes to the bigger picture.
Think of the sprinter who gets positioned for a final push. Or the climber who can’t summit without the support of the domestiques riding ahead. Communication strategy works the same way: it’s only effective when everyone is pulling in the same direction.
Behind every compelling story or campaign is a communication strategy built on clarity, trust, and alignment. Like the Tour de France, success depends on knowing the route, respecting the terrain, and trusting your team. With the right strategy, even the steepest climb builds momentum.
I can't wait until the Tour returns to France next summer. Until then, GO Tadej Pogačar and team UAE!
From Classroom to Meta:
Reconnecting with Nick Carrillo
One of the greatest privileges of my life has been teaching. And more importantly, championing students from underserved communities as they rise, find their voice and pursue careers that once felt out of reach. There’s something powerful about watching someone grow from uncertainty to confidence, from the classroom to a career in tech.
Recently, I caught up with Nick Carrillo, one of my former students from 2017, at Meta headquarters in Menlo Park, CA. Today, Nick is thriving in tech. Something he dreamed about while studying Management Information Systems (MIS) at San José State. His path hasn’t been easy, but it’s been fueled by clarity, resilience and a deep curiosity about how business and technology intersect.
We sat down to talk about what it really takes to break into and grow within the industry. What made me most proud was Nick’s humility and focus. He’s built a career with intention, heart and hustle. And he had a great insight for anyone looking to grow their influence at work: if you see something isn’t working, even if it’s not technically your responsibility, try fixing it anyway. Find the gaps, step in and add value. When you take initiative like that, people start seeing you as the go-to expert. You build trust, show confidence, and before long, others begin seeking you out. That’s how Nick grew his reputation and early career.
His story is a powerful reminder that with support, access and encouragement, students from less privileged backgrounds don’t just succeed, they thrive!
My classroom was only the starting line. Watching Nick step into his power and build a career on his own terms was one of those full-circle moments I’ll never forget. Honestly? This is exactly the kind of full-circle moment that makes every late night with a red pen feel worth it.
