AI: A partner’s new BBF

A Business Best Friend

We’ve all had a BFF (best friend forever) in high school, college or adulthood. I don’t know about you, but I’ve leaned on my bestie more than once and it always makes my life better. The same is true for AI in my professional life. It’s become my remote bestie, my go-to sounding board and brainstorming launchpad. My savior from thinking, innovating and executing in isolation. AI has grown to be my loyal and beloved BBF (business best friend), helping me move ideas forward, rationalize strategy, prepare for difficult discussions and so much more!

In short, AI has changed my life … become a tool I can’t live without. This is the result of starting my AI journey with a single focus: How does it help me? Partners and other key leaders would do themselves service if they approached AI in the same manner. Forget about figuring out firm-wide implementation (that’s too much to bite off initially). For now, just focus on how AI can elevate your leadership. From there, it’s much easier to visualize firm-wide adoption because you see firsthand the power of AI to change your professional life.

While some accounting leaders are leveraging AI for large-scale tasks like data analysis and automation, few are tapping into its potential as a partner. Now, let’s get into how AI (AKA: Your BBF) can help you navigate complex decisions, sharpen your instincts and elevate your leadership.

Are You Underutilizing AI's potential

Too many firms are stuck at the prompt, using AI’s most basic functions. It’s my experience that most firms apply AI for:

• Quick, surface-level answers. This treats your BBF like a glorified search engine.

• Information retrieval. Looking up data but not processing complex strategic issues.

• Tactical problem-solving. Addressing immediate challenges but not refining long-term leadership decisions.

This approach overlooks AI's capacity to:

• Stress-test critical decisions. Providing a safe space to explore potential outcomes and identify blind spots.

• Navigate uncertainty. Reframing leadership challenges and exploring alternative perspectives.

• Reduce mental strain. Offloading cognitive burden and preventing overthinking, which is especially vital in a profession known for its intensity.

Imagine a scenario where a senior partner is grappling with a firm restructuring. Instead of agonizing alone, they could use AI to refine their approach and prepare for potential resistance from other partners.

Elevating AI to BBF status

I don’t just ask AI for simple answers. No one-and-done inquiries. I use it to think better. Instead of viewing AI as just a tool, I treat it as a space for leadership processing, real-time problem-solving and emotional offloading. Seriously, we are that close!

Here’s how I interact with AI on a daily basis:

• Stress-testing decisions. Evaluating potential consequences before committing to a course of action.

• Real-time problem-solving. Addressing challenges as they arise, preventing them from escalating. AI helps me be more proactive.

• Clarifying complex situations. Gaining clarity and focus amidst ambiguity.

• Reframing frustration. Transforming negative emotions into strategic insights.

• Maintaining momentum. Keeping leadership initiatives on track, even during periods of pause or uncertainty.

The real shift comes when you move out of the mindset of AI as a tool for simple tasks to one of AI as a trusted leadership companion. Instead of relying solely on external validation, leaders can use AI to reinforce their instincts, process high-stakes situations and navigate uncertainty with greater confidence. I certainly do.

What it Looks Like in Action

Consider Sarah, a VP at a mid-sized accounting firm, preparing for a challenging partner meeting. A key initiative she was leading faced unexpected hurdles and she anticipated resistance from senior partners. Sarah used AI as her BBF to:

• Process her frustrations. Venting about her concerns before strategizing.

• Stress-test communication. Asking AI to challenge her framing of the issues.

• Anticipate resistance. Asking AI: "If I were a partner skeptical of this initiative, what concerns would I raise?"

• Role-play responses. Using AI to refine how she would address tough questions without sounding defensive.

As a result, Sarah entered the meeting composed, clear and well-prepared. The meeting went smoothly, not because AI provided answers, but because it helped her refine her thinking and lead with conviction. AI didn't replace Sarah's leadership; it enhanced it by serving as her strategic thought partner.

The BBF Framework Can Change Your Life

Partners need help thinking through strategy, planning new initiatives and a sounding board to better frame frustrations and perceived roadblocks. Here’s an easy-to-apply framework to maximize the power AI for partners and other key leaders.

1: Use for real-time leadership processing

Instead of dwelling on uncertainty, discuss your thoughts with AI to help you articulate issues (perceived or real) before reacting. For example: "I feel like my leadership is stalled. How do I navigate this pause effectively?" Additional examples include:

• "I have conflicting thoughts about a potential merger. How do I weigh
  my options?"

• "I need to process a team performance issue before addressing it with them. What factors should I consider?"

• "How can I mentally reset before a crucial client meeting?"

2: Stress-test power moves

Before making a significant decision, use AI to refine your approach and anticipate potential challenges. For example: "I need to deliver critical feedback to a junior accountant. How can I frame it constructively while ensuring the message is received?"

Additional examples include:

• "What's the best strategy for a high-stakes negotiation with a potential client?"

• "I need to announce a new technology implementation to the firm. How do I ensure clarity and minimize resistance?"

• "How do I manage a difficult performance review without damaging trust?"

3: Navigate uncertainty without losing control

When progress is slow, AI can help you maintain your confidence and focus. For example: "How do I maintain confidence in my firm's strategic direction when others are still unsure?" Additional examples include:

• "How do I balance patience with momentum in a complex audit?"

• "What are the risks of rushing an implementation versus delaying it?"

• "What are the leading indicators that a client relationship is at risk?"

4: Lean on AI for emotional offloading

AI can provide a space to vent, process emotions and reset before taking action. This is exceptionally helpful for leaders who do not have a sounding board readily available. The mental shift exercise is a great way to offload emotions and get to a place of clarity.

THE MENTAL SHIFT EXERCISE:

• Name the tension. Identify the source of your stress or frustration.

• Reframe the leadership truth. Challenge negative assumptions and reframe the situation positively.

• Physically mark the shift. Engage in a physical action (e.g., standing up, taking a deep breath) to symbolize the change in mindset.

• Redirect focus. Shift your attention to a productive task or goal.

• Reinforce the power. Affirm your capabilities and leadership qualities.

Here are a few sample prompts:

• "I'm feeling impatient with a client's slow progress. How do I refocus my energy productively?"

• "This audit is frustrating me. What's the best way to channel this emotion constructively?"

• "How do I let go of work-related stress and prevent burnout?"

5: Sharpen your instincts and trust your own thinking

AI reinforces your existing knowledge and abilities, boosting your confidence in your judgment. For example: "I sense a potential ethical issue with a client's financial reporting. What should I look for?" Additional examples include:

• "What leadership instincts do I need to trust more in this challenging environment?"

• "How can I improve my ability to interpret subtle cues in client communications?"

• "What's the best approach to strengthen my strategic decision-making skills?"

Embrace Your New BBF

The profession is well past the rallying cry of “get on the AI bandwagon or be left behind.” There’s no more time to mull it over. The transformative power of AI is ready and waiting to be your trusted leadership companion — your most loyal BBF.

Most leaders aren’t even scratching the surface of AI’s potential to rock their professional lives (in the best way). AI is your always-on-call BBF, supporting you when you need to process challenges, refine strategies and lead with greater effectiveness. It's time to move beyond using AI for simple tasks and explore its potential to elevate your leadership.

Stop overwhelming yourself by asking, “What can AI do for my firm?” and just focus on what it can do for you.

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If you want to know more about how you should be using AI to up your skills, leave a comment and I’ll reach out.