Personal Development with AI

08/06/2025 | Burkhard Bensmann

Hands-On Tool Tips for Leaders

Are you curious how AI can help you as a leader develop and grow?
Have you wondered how artificial intelligence can enhance your everyday tasks—not just automate them?
What if AI could become a powerful tool in your personal growth journey as a leader?

In this episode, I’ll show you how you, as a leader, can use AI effectively for your personal development. I’ll walk you through five key ways AI can support your learning and growth journey—and offer practical tips to integrate these tools into your daily life.

I’ve already shared some of my personal experiences in various blog posts (https://bensmann-consulting.com/news/) – especially in the article “Coaching with AI?” (https://bensmann-consulting.com/coaching-with-stage-and-backstage/) as well as in several podcast episodes.

For me, it has become part of my daily routine to work with tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, and others. I often combine them—for instance, I let Perplexity critically evaluate and revise the results of a ChatGPT query.

A Missed Opportunity?

I am surprised that many top executives still haven’t integrated the use of AI tools into their leadership routines. Sometimes it’s a lack of awareness, sometimes it’s uncertainty about where to start, and often it’s simply being too busy. But what if using AI could actually give you more time, not take it away? Think of AI as your invisible co-pilot—always ready to help you learn faster, reflect deeper, and focus sharper.
Let us look at five fields where you can benefit from using AI-tools.

1. Language Learning and Personal Skills Development

AI is transforming how we learn, especially when it comes to languages and communication.

Apps like Duolingo and Babbel personalize language lessons to your progress, making learning efficient and engaging.
For writing and communication: Tools like Grammarly and DeepL Write act as your digital writing coaches, helping you craft clearer and more confident messages—crucial for every leader.
For public speaking: Try Orai or Yoodli. These AI-powered apps analyze your presentation style, give real-time feedback on your delivery, and help you become a more compelling speaker.

Practical tip:
Set aside 10 minutes each morning to use one of these tools—practice a new language, improve an email draft, or rehearse a presentation. Over time, you’ll notice measurable improvements in your communication skills.

This links directly to the “Competencies & Self-Development” field in my self-leadership model. Your growth starts with targeted, measurable learning—and AI can guide that path like a tailored GPS.

2. Time Management and Task Prioritization

Is your calendar overflowing? Are you constantly reacting to urgent tasks?

Motion and Clockwise are AI-driven scheduling assistants. They automatically rearrange your calendar, protect focus time, and help you avoid burnout.
Notion AI can help you organize tasks, set reminders, and even summarize meeting notes.

Practical tip:
At the start of your week, let Motion or Clockwise optimize your schedule. Review the changes and reflect: did you gain more uninterrupted focus time? Did you feel less stressed?
Try using Notion AI to create a daily priority list—let it suggest what to tackle first based on your goals.

This supports the field of “Processes and Structures.” Efficient routines are essential for freeing up your leadership capacity.

3. Personalized Learning and Development

Forget one-size-fits-all training. AI can tailor learning to your unique needs.

Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Udemy use AI to recommend courses that fit your career goals and learning style.
Refind curates articles and insights based on your interests, keeping you up-to-date on leadership, innovation, and industry trends.
For the latest in AI and leadership, subscribe to newsletters like The Rundown AI or Ben’s Bites.

Practical tip:
Set a learning goal for the month—perhaps mastering a new leadership skill or exploring a topic outside your comfort zone. Let the platforms recommend content, and block 20 minutes a week to engage with it.
Keep a digital journal (Notion) to track what you learn and how you apply it.

This corresponds with the field of „ Competencies and Self-Development“.

4. Decision-Making and Strategy Support

AI isn’t just about automation—it’s a powerful partner for strategic thinking.

Tableau and Microsoft Power BI help you visualize and analyze data, turning complex numbers into actionable insights.
Brandwatch gives you deep social and market analytics, revealing trends and risks you might otherwise miss.
ChatGPT Advanced Data Analysis lets you upload data and get instant summaries, charts, and recommendations—no coding required.

Practical tip:
Next time you face a big decision, use one of these tools to analyze the data behind your options. For example, upload last quarter’s sales data into Tableau or ChatGPT and ask: “What are the key trends? Where are the opportunities?”
This habit will make your decisions more data-driven and less reliant on gut feeling alone.

This is tightly linked to the field I call “Projects and Products.” When making major decisions or launching something new, the ability to simulate outcomes and gather quick insights can be a game-changer.

5. Emotional and Mental Well-Being

Leadership is demanding—your emotional fitness matters as much as your skills.

Wysa and other platforms provide AI-guided support for stress, anxiety, and mindfulness.
Stoic and Mindsera offer AI-powered journaling and reflection, helping you track your mood, set intentions, and build resilience.

Practical tip:
Start or end your day with a five-minute check-in using Wysa or Stoic. Reflect on your mood, challenges, and wins. Over time, you’ll spot patterns and triggers—and learn to manage stress before it builds up.

This reinforces the field I call “Body, Soul, and Mind.” Sustainable leadership requires inner clarity and emotional resilience—and AI can support that, one check-in at a time.

Handle With Care

A quick word of caution: As top managers begin using AI tools more regularly, it’s important to handle these tools with care.

One risk is the gradual shift from helpful support to dependency. When complex questions are answered quickly and convincingly by AI, it can become tempting to stop engaging in deep, independent thinking. Over time, this may erode critical judgment and strategic foresight.

Another challenge is quality: some AI responses are surprisingly shallow or generic. On the other hand, certain outputs can be overwhelmingly detailed, creating a new kind of information overload. Staying aware of these tendencies is essential for using AI as a tool—not as a crutch.

AI is not here to replace your leadership, but to amplify it.
The key is to use it consciously, aligning it with your personal values and goals.

Reflection:
Which of these tools matches your current development focus? Where could AI free up time or give you new insights?
Experiment, reflect, and share your experiences with your team.

Call-to-Action – Your First Step

I’m sure you’ve already got plenty of ideas for using and experimenting with AI tools in your leadership role.
If you want to dig deeper and bring more clarity to your strategic thinking, check out my new offer:

“Leading Yourself and Your Organization in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – Strategy Day in the Era of AI” — tailored for top-level executives.

You’ll find all the details and booking options at bensmann-consulting.com/leading-yourself-in-the-age-of-ai.”

Personal Development with AI