If you’re a leader right now, you already know the truth: The world is basically running at 2x speed. Information is flying at you from every direction, everyone wants your time, and somehow you’re supposed to stay strategic, calm, and ahead of everything.
Cool, cool. No pressure.
That’s why I’m obsessed with the idea of a 10-minute AI-powered daily briefing – a tiny ritual that can completely change how you show up for the day. This isn’t about drowning yourself in dashboards or reading a 30-page report before coffee. This is about clarity. Direction. Focus. And honestly? Sanity.
Here’s how it works – and why it’s a game-changer.
Quick note: Before we get started, when I talk about an AI-powered daily briefing, I’m not saying AI magically knows your leadership style, your calendar, or your inbox. It only knows what you choose to give it. You can connect your calendar or email if you want, or you can feed it context manually – just like you would with a human assistant. Over time, it picks up patterns from the way you talk, the decisions you make, and the goals you share, and then uses that information to help you prioritize, prep for conversations, and spot blind spots. No mind-reading, no snooping – just smart pattern recognition based on the inputs you intentionally provide.
Why leaders need a “pause button” (even if it’s only 10 minutes)
Most leaders start their day reacting. Email, Slack, meetings, fires, noise. It’s like waking up and immediately standing in the middle of a crowded train station.
But leading well requires the opposite:
A minute to step back, zoom out, and ask, “What actually matters today?”
AI can help you reclaim that space – fast.
Not because it “does the thinking for you,” but because it clears the mental clutter so you can think better.
What the 10-minute AI briefing actually includes
Here’s the structure I recommend. It hits the sweet spot between “useful” and “not overwhelming.”
1. A quick pulse check on your world (2 minutes)
Ask your AI:
“Give me a simple summary of the key updates across my team, my current projects, and anything that could impact my decisions today.”
You’ll get something like:
- Project X is waiting on a client reply.
- Team Y hit a milestone yesterday.
- Tomorrow’s deadline is on track, but slightly tight.
- Reminder: You owe feedback to two people.
This is your dashboard without the dashboard. No digging. No scrolling. No guessing.
2. Your top 3 priorities for today (2 minutes)
Prompt:
“Based on everything you know about my goals and calendar, what should my top 3 priorities be today? Make them realistic.”
This is magic.
Because leaders often carry around 20 priorities… and then feel guilty for not doing all 20.
Three. Just three.
Clear, doable, energizing.
3. Conversation prep for the day’s interactions (3 minutes)
This is where AI shines.
Prompt:
“Summarize what I need to know for today’s meetings, and give me 2 suggested questions or talking points for each.”
It will give you things like:
- “Sarah has been hesitant about the new workflow. Ask: What’s your biggest friction point right now?”
- “Client call at 2pm. They care about outcomes, not features. Lead with the impact story.”
- “Team check-in: morale is slightly low – open with appreciation and one win.”
You instantly walk into every meeting more prepared, more present, and more of the leader your team actually wants.
4. A mindset nudge (1 minute)
This one’s underrated.
Prompt:
“Give me one mindset reminder for today based on my leadership style and what’s going on.”
You’ll get something like:
- “Don’t rush through decisions – ask one more question.”
- “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.”
- “Your presence matters more than your answers.”
It sounds simple.
But leadership is emotional work.
A small reminder can reset your whole day.
5. One possible blind spot (2 minutes)
This might be my favorite part.
Prompt:
“Based on current projects and dynamics, what’s one thing I might be underestimating or overlooking right now?”
AI is oddly good at pattern-spotting.
It’ll point out things like:
- Risks you’re not naming
- People who may be struggling quietly
- Dependencies you forgot exist
- Follow-ups that slipped off your radar
It’s like having a second brain that taps you on the shoulder and says, “Hey… you might want to keep an eye on this.”
Why this works: It makes you proactive, not reactive
You’d be amazed at how differently your day feels when you start with clarity instead of chaos.
This 10-minute AI ritual:
- Reduces decision fatigue
- Helps you show up more prepared
- Protects your attention
- Makes your priorities obvious
- Centers you emotionally
- Improves your conversations
- And – plot twist – actually makes you a better leader
It’s not about relying on AI.
It’s about designing a morning that sets you up to lead with intention.
The real reason this matters
Leadership has always been about people, judgment, and clarity. AI just helps you get to those things faster.
And in a world where everyone is overloaded, overwhelmed, and overstretched, the leaders who can create space to think – even just 10 minutes – are the ones who will make the best decisions.
The 10-minute AI daily briefing isn’t a hack or a trick.
It’s a habit.
A small one.
But small habits change big things.
Give it a week.
You’ll feel the difference.