The AI Ready Leader's Toolkit

5 AI Tools Every Leader Should Be Using This Year

Hi friends,

Let’s cut through the noise.

I’ve worked with hundreds of CEOs, board directors, and changemakers — and I know one thing for sure: Most leaders aren’t resistant to AI. They’re just time-poor, cautious, and wondering, “Where do I even start?”

Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth: You don’t need to master AI. You simply need the right tools in your toolkit — and the confidence to make them work for you.

So today, I’m sharing my top 5 go-to AI tools — the ones I personally use to save time, boost clarity, and lead smarter.

Tool #1: ChatGPT

💎 Your Thought Partner in a Box

From brainstorming keynotes to outlining strategies or crafting board memos, ChatGPT is my on-call co-pilot for getting started faster — and thinking bigger.

Try this prompt:

“Write a confident LinkedIn post about our board’s commitment to innovation in 2025.”

💡 Use it to:

• Summarise complex reports

• Draft meeting briefs

• Brainstorm agenda items

• Create communication in your own voice

👉 Best for: CEOs, board chairs, and execs who want to accelerate strategic thinking — without losing their voice.

Tool #2: Otter.ai

💎 Meeting Minutes Made Effortless

Forget frantic note-taking. Otter transcribes and summarises meetings in real time, so you never miss a decision or deliverable again.

💡 Use it to:

• Review and clarify decisions

• Share key takeaways with stakeholders

• Keep board minutes crisp and accurate

👉 Best for: Team leaders, executive assistants, and boards running hybrid or remote meetings.

Tool #3: Notion AI

💎 Your Digital Brain — Organised & Intelligent

Think of Notion as your command centre. With AI built in, it becomes a powerful planning, content creation, and strategy tool in one sleek space.

💡 Use it to:

• Build a living knowledge base

• Outline strategic plans, handbooks, or training guides

• Improve tone and clarity of internal docs

👉 Best for: Strategic planners, content creators, and comms leads in fast-moving organisations.

Tool #4: Canva Magic Studio

💎 Design Like a Pro — Without Being One

Need an event banner, pitch deck, or social tile fast? Canva’s Magic Studio lets you generate stunning, brand-consistent content in seconds — no designer required.

💡 Use it to:

• Design professional reports, proposals, and slide decks

• Use AI to rewrite, resize, or refine your assets

👉 Best for: Executives and thought leaders building their visibility and brand — with ease and polish.

Tool #5: Perplexity AI

💎 Smarter Research, Fewer Tabs

Perplexity acts like a trusted research assistant — giving you concise answers with sources so you can stop scanning endless Google tabs and start acting on insights.

💡 Use it to:

• Prep for board or policy discussions

• Validate market trends

• Build stronger arguments and proposals

👉 Best for: Policy professionals, curious execs, and fact-driven leaders who value smart synthesis.

💡 Leadership isn’t about doing more — it’s about thinking better.

These tools aren’t replacing human leadership — they’re enhancing it. They free up your time and mental space, so you can be more present, more decisive, and more strategic where it truly matters.

Don’t wait for AI to be industry standard. Be the one who sets the standard.

💬 Over to You:

Which of these tools are already in your toolkit — and which are you excited to explore?
Drop a comment or DM me — and if you’ve got a secret AI weapon of your own, I’d love to hear it!

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📚 P.S. Want to Future-Proof Your Leadership?

My new book, AI for Association Leaders, gives you the practical, no-fluff guide to navigating AI with confidence — from strategy to execution.

👉 Now available on Amazon and  anniegibbins.com

Let’s lead smarter, bolder, and more human — together.

To your success,
Annie Gibbins