Keeping it real: When it comes to AI, use the tools but trust your voice

LinkedIn has changed over the years, and I love it. What was once a bland storehouse of résumés is now a place to keep up with friends in the produce industry, be inspired by other leaders in food retail or expand thinking with ideas beyond produce.

“Produce LinkedIn” is special because of the authenticity of our people. It feels real. Instead of MBA-speak, hot takes on business pop-culture, or “personal stories” masked as pitches, we’ve found ways to come together, tell stories and share unique points of view … even in the craziness of growing, buying and selling fresh fruits and vegetables.

Lately I’ve noticed something else.

People are posting even more, but it’s in a voice that isn’t theirs.

“Produce LinkedIn” discovered ChatGPT.

You can sense it in the slightly detached voice of LinkedIn posts. It’s even in emails and sustainability reports. The words are technically persuasive, but the inspiration isn’t there. Instead of responding with curiosity, we walk away disappointed, craving to know who you really are and what you really believe in. Or worse, it gives us the ick, and it erodes trust.

I get it. AI saves time. I’m a proponent of AI tools, too. I use them several times a week as a thought partner for problem-solving, navigating decisions and finding things I’ve missed.

But why are we handing our storytelling over to AI? To sound influential? To get clicks? To seem like we hired a new marketing agency?

As we feel the pressure to perform, it seems like we’re less confident in what we really have to say.

I was born into a family of strong, influential and well-spoken women. For years I struggled to develop a voice and point-of-view that could live up my grandma, Frieda Caplan, and mom Karen Caplan. Karen and Frieda are known for being unapologetically genuine. They’re inspirational leaders and authentic storytellers. What would my authentic voice be? How could I use it with confidence and lead with it?

The last year has been critical in helping me discover that voice, but I didn’t find it with Chat GPT. It grew with me while living life, experiencing success, enduring failures and learning how to reflect.

The authentic approach in our produce community has taken us far. It’s certainly kept me inspired. Our influence was never built on vocabulary. It was built on showing up as we are.

Your voice is enough. AI can polish it, but it shouldn’t replace it.

P.S. If you’re interested in learning better ways to use AI LLMs, I recommend starting with reading the book The AI-Driven Leader by Geoff Woods. And shoutout to ChatGPT for teaching me how to properly use an em dash!