Last week, I caught myself doing something I hadn't done in a while. I found myself wishing I was back in the corporate world with a team to delegate to as I spent hours deep in the weeds of a project. I was knee-deep in drafting a strategy document, caught up in the details, when it hit me.
Ever since leaving the corporate world, I no longer have the luxury of a big team around me to hand things off to. And yet, I still catch myself slipping into old habits, taking on work I shouldn't be doing and getting lost in tasks that pull me away from the bigger picture.
That's when I realized I do have a team member I’m underutilizing: AI.
It may not replace the dynamic of a full team, but AI is absolutely capable of taking on those first drafts, tedious tasks, and repetitive work so I can stay focused on what matters most.
This is the shift so many of us are facing right now.
AI isn’t just a tool you use. It is becoming part of the team.
And the sooner we embrace that, the more we free ourselves to focus on what we do best.
Because here's the truth:
Leaders who learn to collaborate with AI will outperform those who don’t.
As a leader, you know how to hand things off. You know how to trust your people. But with AI, even I realized I wasn’t fully tapping into its potential as my reliable, always-on, never-burned-out co-worker.
But here’s another hard truth.
Just because you're experienced doesn't mean you're always delegating to your full capacity.
Sometimes perfectionism sneaks in. Sometimes, control takes over.
And before you know it, you're spending hours on a $10 task when you should be focused on the $10,000 problem.
This week, we are tackling the mindset shift it takes to trust AI as a true teammate and how to start delegating in ways that protect your energy and maximize your impact.
This Week’s Insights:
- Even experienced leaders can fall into the trap of holding on to low-value work.
- AI is stepping into daily workflows as a reliable, high-capacity co-worker.
- Delegating to AI frees you up to focus on high-level strategy and creativity.
- Tools and prompts to help you hand off tasks to AI starting this week.
TRENDS
The AI Co-Worker is Clocked In
Across industries, AI is moving beyond basic automation. It is now taking on real, day-to-day responsibilities like drafting emails, summarizing meetings, brainstorming strategies, and managing follow-ups.
The leaders who are thriving in this moment are not the ones doing it all themselves.
They are the ones who are building workflows where AI handles the busy work, and they stay focused on driving results.
The New Leadership Muscle: Delegating to AI
Managing AI is becoming just as critical as managing people.
And just like onboarding a new hire, working with AI requires clear direction, context, and feedback.
The more you train AI through strong prompts and purposeful use, the better and faster it performs and the more time you get back.
Myth to Bust: “It’s faster if I just do it myself.”
Sound familiar? This is one of the most common traps I see leaders fall into, myself included, especially those of us who have always been the go-to person to get things done.
Sure, it might feel quicker to muscle through the task on your own, but over time that thinking keeps you stuck in the weeds. The first time you delegate to AI, it might take a little guidance and review, just like training a new team member. But once you dial in your prompts and processes, AI becomes a repeatable solution that saves you hours.
Invest the time now so future you isn’t still buried in tasks you should have let go of long ago.
TIPS
Here’s the limiting belief holding so many of us back:
“AI can’t do it exactly the way I would.”
And sure, maybe it won’t. But that’s missing the point.
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is momentum.
And the more you trust AI to carry the $10 tasks, the more space you have to solve the $10,000 challenges.
Start with small, repeatable tasks. Build your confidence. And pretty soon, AI becomes the team member you didn’t know you needed.
TOOLS
Copy + Paste AI Prompts to Try:
✨ Meeting Recap with Otter.ai
“Summarize this meeting transcript into key decisions made, action items with owners and deadlines, and any unresolved questions.”
✨ Email Polish with GrammarlyGO
“Revise this email to sound more clear, direct, and professional while keeping an encouraging and supportive tone.”
✨ Project Status Update with GrammarlyGO
“Draft a weekly project status update highlighting key milestones completed, current blockers, and next steps. Keep the tone informative and proactive.”
✨ Brainstorming Talking Points with ChatGPT
“Generate 3 to 5 key talking points for an upcoming leadership meeting focused on team performance, areas of improvement, and strategic priorities for next quarter.”
✨ Follow-Up Email with GrammarlyGO
“Write a follow-up email thanking the participant for their time, summarizing the main discussion points, and outlining the next steps. Keep it concise and professional.”
How will you delegate to AI this week?
Final Thought:
Rethink What It Means to Have a Team
AI is not here to replace you.
It is here to remove the noise, clear the clutter, and protect your focus.
When you treat AI like a trusted teammate instead of an occasional helper, you get back the time and space to do what you do best. Lead, create, and grow.
So, what is one task you are ready to hand off this week?
Try it and see how it feels.
Because como dice el dicho, "El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta."
(Translation: “The one who tries to do too much squeezes nothing well.”)
Trying to do it all means nothing gets your best effort. Let AI help you hold it down.
Until next week, keep embracing the change.
Abrazos,
Monica Marquez
When You're Ready...
Here’s how I can help you and your organization take your leadership and professional growth to the next level:
Speaking: I deliver engaging, high-impact keynotes and workshops on AI-driven leadership, personal branding, career advancement, and transformation. Whether it's a corporate event, leadership summit, or industry conference, I bring practical insights and strategies that empower professionals to thrive in today's rapidly evolving world.
Learning & Development Consulting: I partner with organizations to design and implement learning experiences that drive real impact. From AI-powered career development programs to leadership training tailored for their talent, I help companies advance their workforce and create growth opportunities for high-potential professionals.
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