5 ChatGPT Prompts To Sharpen Your Leadership Skills In Uncertain Times
This article originally appeared on Forbes.com.
Leadership in 2026 looks nothing like what most leaders expected. Markets are shifting faster, teams expect more from leaders and the cost of getting things wrong feels higher than ever.
According to McKinsey’s research in “The State of Organizations 2026,” 72% of leaders report that geopolitical uncertainty is reshaping their organizations. The same study found that 72% of leaders also feel unprepared to face upcoming challenges. Leadership skills are being tested in ways most leaders were never trained for.
Against this backdrop, savvy, high-performing leaders are learning how to use AI as a true strategic thought partner. ChatGPT can sharpen the leadership skills that matter most when the stakes are high. Here are five prompts worth using this week.
Build The Leadership Skill Most Needed Right Now: Communicating In Ambiguity
When there are no clear answers and uncertainty abounds, the temptation is to stay silent or project a false sense of certainty. But both can backfire. Leaning into transparency and honesty instead will model good leadership and continue to build trust with direct reports.
ChatGPT Prompt:
“I’m about to tell my team about [issue]. Here’s what I know, what I don’t know and what I plan to do: [fill in]. Draft three short, honest versions of how I can communicate this to build trust without overpromising.”
Pressure-Test A High-Stakes Decision Before You Make It
Bad calls in uncertain times get punished even harder. Pressure-testing is a core executive muscle to strengthen.
ChatGPT Prompt:
“Here’s a decision I’m considering and my reasoning behind it: [fill in]. Pressure-test it by giving me the top five ways this could fail in 12 months and the three strongest counterarguments a skeptic would make.”
Brainstorm the potential pushback before the big moment so you can share your decision cogently and confidently.
Prepare For A Tough Conversation You’ve Been Avoiding
Certain conversations get harder the longer you avoid them: performance feedback, scope cuts, conflicts. Leverage AI to help you prepare instead of delaying further and watching things get worse.
ChatGPT Prompt:
“I need to have a direct conversation with [role] about [issue]. The outcome I want is [fill in]. The constraints are [fill in]. Draft talking points for me that are direct, respectful and leave room for a civil conversation.”
Workshop it with the AI for at least a few rounds before you go into the conversation.
Anticipate The Pushback Before A Critical Stakeholder Moment
Critical stakeholder moments are not the time for improvisation. Whether you’re prepping to present to board members, executives, investors or engage in high-stakes negotiations, use AI to anticipate what will come up so you aren’t caught off guard.
ChatGPT Prompt:
“I’m presenting [topic] to [audience]. The agenda is [fill in]. The background on this audience is [fill in]. List the three objections most likely to come up, the political subtext under each and one counter-argument I can prepare.”
Protect Your Own Leadership Bandwidth Before It Runs Out
Manager engagement dropped from 27% to 22% between 2024 and 2025, the largest year-over-year drop according to Gallup’s “State of the Global Workplace 2026” report. Given the increased load and expectations of managers these days, this isn’t surprising. The leaders who continue to rise in their careers are the ones who make sure to build in strategic rest.
ChatGPT Prompt:
“Here are the five hardest decisions I made this week and how each one went: [fill in]. Help me identify what is the most draining work on my plate and one strategic move that would lighten my load next week without sacrificing what’s important or increasing risk.”
Sharper Skills, Steadier Leadership
Leadership skills will continue to be tested in moments like these. Leveraging AI (among other tools, training and coaching) is one way to strengthen leadership skills, and it’s one that is available at our fingertips. Used well, it can help leaders communicate more clearly, make better-informed decisions and avoid burnout.
Perhaps more importantly, the leaders who continue to invest the time to grow and cultivate them will be the ones who make the future of work better for all.
