The Creativity Toolkit: 5 Questions to Lead When Everyone Has AI Tools
Skills4Good AI: Master AI 4 Good
By: Josephine Yam, J.D., LLM., MA Phil (AI Ethics)
June 24, 2025. Read in browser.
AI tools are now table stakes. The real differentiator? Creative leadership. Here's how to cultivate it—before your relevance disappears.
When AI can do everything, human creativity is your competitive edge.
The LinkedIn Paradox: A Case Study in Human Value
Picture this: LinkedIn's 2025 algorithm update now penalizes AI-generated content just as every professional gains access to the same powerful AI tools. The platform that built careers on polished posts now rewards the opposite—raw, authentic human creativity.
This paradox isn't just a social media quirk. It's a validation of what business leaders already know: a Harvard Business Review 2024 survey found that “91% of respondents believe creative thinking is a key attribute for working professionals, while 96% of people agree it is essential to a company's long-term performance and success.”
Quick Takeaways
- AI levels the playing field, creativity tilts it in your favor: When everyone has the same powerful AI tools, your creative judgment separates you from everyone else.
- LinkedIn chooses humans over AI: The platform now deliberately penalizes AI content because authentic human insights drive better engagement than polished AI outputs.
- Creativity isn't a solo skill: It requires curiosity to ask the right questions, critical thinking to evaluate ideas, and empathy to understand what truly resonates with people.
Welcome to the Creativity Economy
LinkedIn's shift reflects a broader trend: AI handles the technical creation while humans provide the creative insight and purpose.
A study by marketing agency Terakeet across multiple platforms found that AI-generated content consistently underperformed due to "factual inaccuracies" and generic phrasing that "resembled existing web content." The conclusion? AI cannot match human creativity in connecting with real audiences.
The Data Speaks
Recent industry analysis reveals the shift: AI-generated content gets 30% less reach and 55% less engagement than human-written posts. Meanwhile, professionals combining AI efficiency with human creative insight are seeing unprecedented results.
The takeaway? Success no longer depends on having better AI tools but on honing your creative judgment about how to use them effectively and responsibly.
Join our Free Responsible AI Starter Course. Apply now!
The Creativity Toolkit: 5 Questions to Lead When Everyone Has AI Tools
LinkedIn's preference for authentic human creativity validates what the Skills4Good AI’s Human Skills Playbook discusses: real creativity requires all five human skills working together in a flywheel — curiosity sparks ideas, creativity transforms them, critical thinking refines them, adaptability keeps them fresh, and empathy ensures they serve people.
Whether you're just getting started with AI tools like ChatGPT or already using them regularly, these self-reflection questions help you ignite your creative edge.
1 - Creative Authority: "Am I generating ideas or just selecting from AI options?"
- If you're saying: "This AI output is perfect as-is. I'll just use what ChatGPT suggested without any changes."
- Ask yourself: What unexpected connection could you make that AI wouldn't suggest?
- Real example: Instead of using ChatGPT's first suggestion for your presentation title, "Boosting Team Productivity," you might ask: "What if I called it 'The Energy Audit: Where Your Team's Motivation Goes'?" That unexpected connection to energy and motivation creates more engagement than generic productivity language.
- Why it matters: Real creativity lives in the connections AI can't predict. When you just accept AI's first answer, you're competing with everyone else who got the same suggestion.
2 - Audience Empathy: "Does this creative choice serve my audience or just impress them?"
- If you're saying: "This looks creative and clever. I'm sure people will think this design is sophisticated and smart."
- Ask yourself: Would this genuinely help someone solve a real problem?
- Real example: A marketing manager ditched an AI-generated "synergistic solutions" tagline for "We fix what's broken." The simpler, human language resonated better with frustrated customers than consultant-sounding jargon.
- Why it matters: Sustainable creativity serves humans, not just ego. Clever-for-clever’s sake often alienates the people you're trying to reach.
3 - Creative Purpose: "What change am I trying to create through this creative work?"
- If you're saying: "I need something original and attention-grabbing. This has to stand out from all the other content out there."
- Ask yourself: What meaningful impact do you want this creativity to have?
- Real example: Instead of creating a flashy infographic to "go viral," a consultant created a simple one-page decision tree that helped clients choose between three service options. It generated more qualified leads than any previous creative campaign.
- Why it matters: Purpose-driven creativity builds lasting influence, not just momentary attention. When you know why you're creating something, the how becomes clearer.
4 - Authentic Voice: "Does this reflect how I actually think creatively?"
- If you're saying: "It's creative but feels a bit off-brand. This doesn't sound quite like me, but it's more polished than my usual style."
- Ask yourself: If you couldn't use AI, would you naturally arrive at this creative approach?
- Real example: A manager noticed her AI-assisted LinkedIn posts used phrases like "delighted to announce" that she'd never say in person. She started editing AI drafts to match her authentic voice, and engagement doubled.
- Why it matters: Authentic creativity becomes your competitive edge when everyone else uses the same AI tools. People connect with a genuine voice, not generic polish.
5 - Creative Courage: "Am I taking genuine creative risks or playing it safe?"
- If you're saying: "This follows creative best practices. It's what successful companies in our industry typically do, so it should work for us, too."
- Ask yourself: What would you create if you knew it would genuinely help people?
- Real example: A software company replaced their standard "Schedule a Demo" button with "See Us Solve Your Problem in 3 Minutes." The specific, benefit-focused language increased demo requests by 40% because it directly addressed customer concerns and hesitations.
- Why it matters: Breakthrough creative impact requires courage that AI can't provide. AI suggests what's been done before, but game-changing creativity often breaks the rules.
Over To You
Before you hit “publish” on your next project—whether it’s a slide deck, client email, or LinkedIn post—pause and ask yourself:
“Is this something only I could have created?”
If the answer feels uncertain, take one extra beat to inject your creative judgment: An unexpected analogy, a bolder phrasing, a more explicit purpose, a more humane tone.
This moment is your turning point.
You can blend in with AI-generated mediocrity—or you can choose to lead with creativity that no algorithm can replicate.
Because in the AI era, your real competitive edge isn’t how fast you create. It’s how deeply you think.
Found This Helpful?
Forward this newsletter to colleagues using AI or share our subscription link: https://skills4good.ai/newsletter/
Together, we’re building a future where GenAI supports humanity, not replaces it.
Stay curious and committed to AI 4 Good!
Josephine and the Skills4Good AI Team
P.S. Want to Stay Ahead in Responsible AI?
Here’s how we can help you:
1. Fast-Track Membership.
21 essential lessons for busy nontech professionals who want to master the fundamentals quickly.
Start Your Fast Track: https://skills4good.ai/responsible-ai-fast-track-membership/
2. Professional Membership.
Go beyond the essentials. Complete Responsible AI curriculum with 130+ lessons to develop deep fluency, leadership skills, and strategic application.
Start Your Certification: https://skills4good.ai/responsible-ai-professional-membership/
3. CRAI–Leader Program.
Comprehensive team training for organizations ready to implement responsible AI governance and strategic frameworks.
Explore CRAI–L for Teams: https://skills4good.ai/certified-responsible-ai-leader/