“Weird times.”

That’s what my CTO friend and I kept saying on one of our classic LA rollerblade catch-ups this weekend.

We were talking about AI. That thing that went from niche buzzword to novelty toy to personal assistant to existential threat in just a decade.

Yes, we’re living in weird times. But I’m not worried.

Not because my head’s buried in analog sand. Because I’m curiously plugged into how this is unfolding and calmly, creatively iterating on how I work and deliver value to my clients.

This last week, 9 people asked me some version of, “Am I f**ked?” when it comes to AI and their careers. The anxiety is palpable. And last week’s warning from Anthropic’s CEO about the potential mass elimination of white-collar jobs across tech, law, finance, and consulting certainly didn’t help us chillax.

But here’s the thing: you gotta chillax.

Because when your brain and body are pumped full of cortisol, you can’t see yourself or the world clearly. You can’t make intentional, confident career decisions.

You also can’t enjoy all the good stuff happening right now.

So, first take a deep breath.

Then ask yourself these 3 questions:

1. How is AI used in my career?

Zoom in on the day-to-day. The tasks, tools, and workflows. Industry and org type matter too. How is AI being used to create inputs, review outputs, or speed things up?

Skip the headlines (they’re mostly clickbait). Instead, talk to peers or join communities in your field—especially if you’re pivoting. Curiously collect data from multiple sources.

For example, Product Designers used to sketch by hand and sift through feedback manually. Now, tools like Midjourney and Dovetail help them generate ideas and spot patterns faster so they can focus on crafting thoughtful, human-centered experiences.

👉 Use AI in your work now.

2. How is human connection essential in my career?

Human connection runs the game. I don’t have a crystal ball, but it seems clear that that won't change anytime soon.

Skills like empathy, communication, influence, and emotional intelligence—what we used to call “soft skills”—are hardcore essential. Harvard agrees.

For example, a Lead Software Engineer uses human connection to turn clean code into real-world impact. Understanding customer and biz needs. Aligning cross-functional teams. Mentoring junior devs. Collaborating to build the right thing, not just the “technically cool” thing.

👉 Lean into your human connection skills now.

3. What questions and concerns do I have?

Let’s borrow from emergency response playbooks like the ones used at FEMA and do a message mapping exercise. It’s how they prep for things like hurricanes. AI is our storm on the horizon.

Brainstorm your questions and concerns. For each one, write 3 key answers—around 9 words each. This constraint creates clarity, and matches what our brains can absorb under pressure.

Then ask: Do I like the answer?
If not: What do I want the answer to be?
Then: How can I shift my approach to get closer to that?

Questions I’m hearing often:

• Will I still hit my financial goals in this path?
• Will I even like this work in 5-10 years?
• Should I pivot to something “safer”?

👉 Use a combo of experience, exposure, and education to answer. Adjust your approach as needed.

Still feeling spooked about AI and your career?

Hit reply and tell me what’s keeping you up at night—or what decision you’re stuck on.

Sure, you can consult ChatGPT (or Claude, for my fellow creatives).

But if you want to feel truly seen, make sense of your story, and take bold, aligned action with a passionate cheerleader in your corner… I’m here for you.

And yep, we’ll use AI tools to help you move faster and farther 🤖

Onward!
Grace

P.S. Tech Ladies invited me back to speak on this topic next month! Reply PIVOT to be first to hear when tickets drop (last one sold out!). You don’t need to be a lady to join.