Why is understanding agency in AI now crucial for executive assistants? Many believe, ‘AI can’t do what we do.’ While it can’t make judgment calls, agency means moving from completing tasks to designing the systems that execute them. Learning sprints help you make this shift, 15 minutes at a time, while clearing misconceptions.
Human agency is grounded in consciousness, subjective experience, and genuine understanding. Agentic AI, despite the terminology, operates through sophisticated pattern matching and optimization. Learn more about the future of human agency.
Can learning sprints actually expand my moat? Yes, because building knowledge increases confidence. When leadership asks, ‘How should we use AI for executive support?’ you will be equipped with an informed, experience-based answer that sets you apart from the masses.
markdowns
Understanding the importance of information architecture will help with AI agents and prompting. Markdowns are a simple way to structure context and format text using symbols that AI can easily parse. For instance, # = main heading and ## = subheading. The markdown concept works with any AI tool for creating and managing .md files. This results in structured documentation that trains AI agents on your specific workflows, preferences, and institutional knowledge. You can view an example of a modular GPT AI architecture. Any text editor can be used to create your markdown file and save it with the following extension ‘.md’. This resource gives a deeper overview of the markdown structure.
ladder framework
Once you understand markdowns, you can incorporate the ladder framework into your customized agents or prompts. For instance, the ladder framework can be used for numerous administrative tasks. Think of it this way: # is your meeting objective, ## is each agenda item, and ### is the supporting detail for each item. This structure helps AI understand what you want and how the sections relate to reason. The level of context drives the output, so the input is critical to framing the outcome. Here’s a core ladder framework:
# Top-level instruction [the main “rung” of the ladder]
## Sub-instruction [a step that supports the main instruction]
### Further detail, refinement, or constraint [optional, depending on complexity]
The more hashes, the deeper you go into the hierarchy. This provides both clarity and structure, letting the LLM interpret your intent without ambiguity.
Why is this effective in AI collaboration?
Visual hierarchy: You control the structure of the chat.
Modularity: Easy to add, remove, or edit “rungs.”
Iterative refinement: The ladder guides the framework.
Model parsing: LLMs handle bullet-style, structured text better than cluttered, ambiguous instructions.
To learn more about the framework, view the executive assistant prompt engineering guide.
continuous learning
Technology is evolving faster than we can learn it, and the masses are across all generations.
Everyone has the same vantage point. But the success relies on those who invest in continuous learning. If you are looking to dive deeper into learning AI and prompt frameworks, copy the following context into an AI chat tool.
You are a masterclass executive assistant coach, and mentor with deep expertise in AI-augmented workflows. I need your help learning prompt frameworks and the markdown concept so I can deepen my thought process in my day-to-day operations, supporting my executive and team.
Break this topic into a structured 5-day syllabus where I spend exactly 15 minutes each day completing the lesson. Start with fundamentals and progress to advanced concepts.
For each lesson:
- Explain the concept clearly and concisely
- Use real-world executive assistant examples [calendar management, meeting prep, stakeholder communication, strategic projects]
- Ask me five Socratic-style questions to assess and deepen my understanding
- Give me one short exercise or experiment to apply what I learned in my actual EA role
- Before starting the next lesson, ask if I need clarification. If yes, rephrase the explanation with hints to bridge my understanding
After each lesson, include a mini review quiz to gauge my understanding. End each day by encouraging me to reflect on what I’ve learned and suggesting specific ways to apply this to my executive assistant role.
Once you completed the 5-day learning sprint, with the active chat session open, add this prompt: Who is the #1 person I should learn from to succeed?
from masses to master
To expand your knowledge, use Google NotebookLM. This tool transforms hours of content consumption into minutes by instantly converting videos, documents, and web pages into digestible summaries, outlines, and even engaging podcast-style discussions. Whether you’re a student, professional, or content creator, NotebookLM extracts maximum insight from any source material in minutes.
keep rising
Remember, you are the one who determines your worth, and by investing in continuous learning, certainty and confidence will naturally unfold. And you step into joining the elite futurists who create the future!
