Some of our directors are using generative AI to ghostwrite their weekly strategic updates and Rock progress reports, resulting in generic, useless summaries that lack real insight. How do we establish proper guardrails for AI use at the leadership level?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Generative AI is a powerful tool to increase efficiency, but using it to ghostwrite strategic leadership updates is a cop-out. When a director copies and pastes generic AI text into their weekly updates, they are avoiding the hard mental work of critical thinking and analysis. This dilutes the value of your Level 10 Meeting. To solve this, establish clear guardrails for how your leadership team uses AI. Make it a rule that AI can be used to synthesize raw data, brainstorm solutions, or draft external communications, but it cannot be used to replace executive commentary. Your leadership updates must reflect the director's authentic voice, raw observations, and actual strategic intent. When reviewing Rock progress, you need to know the real roadblocks and human dynamics, not a polished, sanitized paragraph that says nothing of substance. Have a candid conversation with your team about this. Explain that you do not pay them for polished prose; you pay them for their judgment, insight, and accountability. If a weekly update sounds like a generic corporate press release, reject it. Ask them to explain the issue in plain, conversational English. By keeping the reporting authentic and direct, you preserve the integrity of your strategic discussions and ensure your leadership team remains actively engaged in solving the real problems facing the business.