What Happened When I Let AI Read My Emails and Transcripts
We often assume that adding more technology to our work lives means adding more distraction. More noise. More pressure to move faster.
But in my experience, the opposite can also be true.
When used with intention, AI can actually help us slow down — to communicate more clearly, think more strategically, and stay grounded in the moment. It’s not about replacing human connection. It’s about removing the friction that keeps us from fully showing up.
Here’s how I’ve been using AI not just to work more efficiently — but to be more present.
1. AI as a Thoughtful First Reader
Before sending important emails, I now run them through AI as a second set of eyes.
Not to polish the grammar (though it helps with that too), but to test for clarity. I’ll ask:
Does this make sense to someone reading it for the first time?
Is the tone aligned with the intent?
Is there a simpler or more direct way to say this?
Surprisingly often, the AI will suggest something I missed — an overly complex sentence, a vague phrase, or a spot where tone could be warmer or more concise.
The result? Fewer misunderstandings. More thoughtful communication. Less time spent second-guessing myself — and more time focused on connection.
2. Reading the Room with DISC Insights — Even in Writing
One of the most powerful uses of AI I’ve seen is in helping people reconnect when communication has broken down.
I recently coached an agent who was in a high-stakes, high-stress negotiation with the seller of a multimillion-dollar property. The listing needed a significant price reduction, but the relationship had deteriorated. Tensions were high. Everything had shifted to short, transactional emails and texts, and both sides had clearly stopped hearing each other.
That’s when the agent used AI to analyze the full conversation — every message and email thread. The AI identified not only communication gaps, but also flagged the likely DISC profile of the seller and offered guidance on how to shift tone and language accordingly.
What came back was a simple but powerful insight: the seller valued control and needed direct, outcome-focused language — not emotional appeals or market theory.
The agent rewrote the message using that lens. And it landed.
Not only did the seller agree to the price reduction — they did it feeling heard and understood. And from there, the relationship moved forward with trust and clarity.
These kinds of shifts — subtle, strategic, human — are what AI can help reveal when we take the time to ask the right questions.
3. Smarter Meeting Follow-Ups
AI has also changed the way I handle meeting follow-ups — especially in my consulting work.
Meeting transcripts can be rich with insight — but only if we take the time to unpack them. I’ve started using AI to review transcripts from key sessions. It helps me:
Identify how much time was spent on each topic
Spot moments where the conversation veered off-track
Confirm whether action items were clearly captured
Suggest refinements to how I communicated or facilitated
This isn't about micromanaging every word — it's about noticing patterns. Was I clear? Did we get stuck in the weeds? Did something important get left unsaid?
Recently, I worked with a leadership team navigating a major organizational shift. The conversation was rich, emotional, and full of big ideas — but without structure, moments like that can quickly become overwhelming or hard to act on.
After the session, I ran the transcript through AI. It broke down how much time was spent on each theme, surfaced recurring concerns that didn’t get fully addressed, and helped me create a focused follow-up plan for the next meeting. We were able to move forward quickly, with clear priorities and renewed alignment — and the team felt heard, not just managed.
This approach brings structure to what might otherwise feel like a swirl of ideas. Clients get clearer next steps. I can tailor my guidance for the next meeting based on what actually happened — not just what I remembered.
The result? More movement. Better follow-through. Stronger alignment.
Why This Matters
I’m not using AI to do more just for the sake of productivity.
I’m using it to do less of the things that clutter my thinking, so I can be more thoughtful, more present, and more strategic in what matters most.
AI takes on the cognitive load — the second-guessing, the rewording, the post-meeting analysis — so I can stay in the moment and focus on what actually requires me.
It’s not just a tool for efficiency. It’s a tool for intentionality.
Let’s Talk
If you’re experimenting with ways to use AI to work more intentionally — or want to compare tools, prompts, or workflows — I’d love to connect. Always open to sharing what’s working and learning from others doing the same.
