Mastering Prompt Engineering for Better AI Conversations and Productivity

Prompt and Circumstance

Many professionals struggle with getting meaningful results from AI tools, often settling for generic responses that don't address their specific needs. This episode reveals how strategic prompt engineering transforms AI from a simple question-answering tool into a powerful thought partner for decision-making and productivity. The hosts demonstrate how different language models respond uniquely to the same prompt, showcase custom instruction techniques in ChatGPT, and provide a structured "magic prompt" framework that forces AI to clarify requirements before delivering tailored responses. Learn practical methods to elevate your AI literacy, compare LLM capabilities, and implement enterprise-ready prompt structures that eliminate guesswork and deliver actionable insights.

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Highlights
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• Different LLMs produce dramatically varied responses to identical prompts, revealing their underlying programming biases
• Custom instructions in ChatGPT settings can transform generic interactions into structured, clarifying conversations
• The "magic prompt" framework forces AI to ask three clarifying questions before delivering refined responses
• Poe.com provides access to multiple language models for comparative analysis and capability testing
• Strategic prompt engineering turns AI into a decision-making partner rather than just an information source

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Important Concepts and Frameworks
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• Prompt Completion Guidelines (PCG) - A structured framework that makes AI ask clarifying questions before responding
• AI Literacy - The ability to effectively communicate with and leverage AI tools for strategic thinking
• Custom Instructions - Settings that personalize how AI models interact with users across conversations
• Comparative LLM Analysis - Testing different language models against the same prompt to understand their strengths

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Tools & Resources Mentioned
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• Poe.com - Platform providing access to multiple language models for comparison testing
  • Link: https://poe.com/
• GitHub - Code repository platform for sharing and collaborating on technical projects
  • Link: https://github.com/
• AI Driven Leader by Jeff Woods - Book exploring AI as a strategic thinking supplement
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/AI-Driven-Leader-Harnessing-Smarter-Decisions/dp/B0DB8QL3ZK
• Warp - Terminal tool for developers that enhances coding productivity
  • Link: https://www.warp.dev/
• Super Whisper - Voice-to-text tool that creates prompts based on voice input
  • Link: https://superwhisper.com/

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Calls to Action
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1. Start with familiar topics when testing new prompt structures to better evaluate AI response accuracy
2. Explore the settings and personalization options in your preferred AI tools to customize interactions
3. Create an inventory of effective prompts that work across different platforms and use cases
4. Choose one business process or task to optimize using AI, applying the triangulation approach for better/faster/cheaper solutions
5. Test the same prompt across multiple LLMs using Poe.com to understand different model capabilities

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Key Quotes
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• "AI is a strategic thinking supplement and thought partner for decision making" — Mike Richardson
• "Tiny prompts can hide big needs" — Ryan Neimann
• "The more I put in, the more I get out - worth spending extra minutes putting in" — Mike Richardson
• "Custom instructions transform how you work with LLMs ensuring impactful responses" — Ryan Neimann
• "Get to know your tool settings - most people use only 10% of capability" — Tom Adams

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Chapters
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00:00 - Introduction to AI, Code and Culture Discussions
01:22 - Team Updates and Current AI Exploration Projects
06:52 - Demonstrating Different LLM Responses to Identical Prompts
10:52 - Comparative Analysis of GPT-3.5 vs GPT-4 Responses
12:56 - Grok's Unique Thinking Process Revealed
16:17 - Claude's Writer-Focused Approach to Prompt Completion
18:12 - Deep Seek's Extensive Analysis and Safety Considerations
21:46 - Custom Instructions and Settings Optimization in ChatGPT
25:05 - Implementing the Magic Prompt Framework
28:34 - Practical Business Applications of Structured Prompting
32:06 - Project-Based Prompt Management Across Platforms
35:39 - GitHub Explained Through AI-Generated Metaphors
38:18 - Connecting Prompt Clarification to Peer Group Dynamics
39:16 - Actionable Next Steps for Prompt Engineering Mastery
44:02 - Closing Recommendations and Resource Access

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Meet the Crew
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Mike Richardson – Agility, Peer Power & Collective Intelligence
Website: https://mikerichardson.live/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agilityexpertmikerichardson/

Ryan Niemann – Software CEO & Board Operator
Website: https://bob3.pro/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanniemann/

Mark Redgrave – Agility, People and Performance
Website: https://www.shift-transform.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mredgrave/

Tom Adams – Executive Coach, Advisor & Trail Blazer
Website: https://tomadams.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomadamscoach/