Stop Treating AI Like a Tool
Why Your Mindset About AI Might Be Holding You Back
Let’s talk about something that’s changing the way we work, not in theory, but in practice.
There’s a growing body of research showing a surprising insight:
if you want to get the most out of AI, stop thinking of it as just a tool. Start treating it like a teammate.
I know that might sound a little woo-woo at first—how do you team up with a machine, right? But the data is compelling. And it turns out, the way we approach AI makes a big difference.
One of the most comprehensive field studies on this topic is called “The Cybernetic Teammate: A Field Experiment on Generative AI Reshaping Teamwork and Expertise.” It was led by researchers from Harvard Business School, Wharton, and Procter & Gamble, and included 776 professionals at P&G.
The findings were powerful:
Individuals using AI performed at the same level as two-person teams without AI.
Teams that integrated AI as a collaborator delivered the most exceptional and comprehensive solutions.
And here’s the kicker: participants who treated AI like a partner, instead of just an automation tool, saw measurable boosts in both the quality of their work and their own motivation.
This isn’t just a one-off result. The Atlassian AI Collaboration Report backed this up too. They found that “strategic AI collaborators”—those who worked with AI as part of their team—reported higher-quality results, more motivation, and more innovation compared to “simple AI users” who just used it for task automation.
MIT’s recent 2025 study also showed that AI “coworkers” can boost productivity by over 60%, but only when integrated into the workflow as collaborators.
So what’s the big takeaway?
It’s not just what you use AI for, it’s how you work with it.
When we treat AI like a team member, ask it questions, iterate with it, challenge it, and bring it into the creative process, it transforms from a productivity boost into a true catalyst for innovation.
This is the future of work: not human or machine, but human and machine—working together.
Sadie
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In this episode of My Secret Garden Career Chats, I breaks down the pros and cons of working in a traditional corporate setting, consulting firms, and startups. Whether it's seeking balance in corporate America, gaining intense learning experiences in consulting, or embracing the creative freedom of startups, I’ll help you evaluate your career goals and lifestyle preferences to make an informed decision. Tune in for invaluable insights to design your ideal career path.