Why I Treat AI Like a Strategic Thinking Partner By Mark Kelly, AI Speaker

Title: Why I Treat AI Like a Strategic Thinking Partner
By Mark Kelly, AI Speaker

AI isn’t just a tool—it’s become part of how I think.

While the use of AI as a strategist is well documented, I find its real power lies in helping me see what I might be missing. Whether I’m preparing for an important meeting, solving a complex problem, or developing a new idea, AI provides a fresh set of eyes—and often, a fresh way of thinking.

Running a small business, you don’t always have access to a full advisory board. That’s where AI becomes invaluable. I like to think of it as my virtual council of experts—available 24/7, always ready to challenge my assumptions or sharpen my thinking.

Here are just a few ways I use AI strategically:

• To identify blind spots in my decision-making
• To surface contrarian or overlooked perspectives
• To recommend the next best step when I’m stuck
• To role-play as different types of experts (strategist, marketer, analyst, etc.)

And to get that kind of insight, I use a prompt like this:

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🔍 My Go-To Prompt for Strategic Insight

“Act as my strategic advisor. Here’s the situation: [Insert your challenge, decision, or opportunity].

1. What might I be missing or overlooking?
2. What’s a contrarian or unconventional viewpoint I should consider?
3. What’s the next best action I could take?
4. If this were discussed by a strategist, a marketer, and an operations leader—what would each of them suggest?”

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Whether you’re leading a team, running a business, or just trying to make better decisions faster, treating AI like a thinking partner can unlock real value. It won’t make the decision for you—but it will help you make a smarter one.

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Want your team to think more strategically with AI?
I speak to leaders and organisations about how to turn AI into a trusted advisor, not just a tool.

📩 Book me for your next event, workshop, or strategy session –  or connect with me directly on LinkedIn.